Published 28 September 2026
How to avoid fake and cloned academic journals
OAK warned researchers about fake and cloned scholarly journals. A convincing site may promise rapid acceptance and display international-index logos without establishing a genuine editorial office or proper review.
Checks before submission
Identify the journal’s official status, publisher and real website. Compare the editorial board with independent records, read its peer-review and ethics policies, and confirm indexing through a direct database record with coverage years.
Signs of impersonation
A clone may copy a real journal’s title, ISSN, covers and archive while replacing contacts and payment details. Very short acceptance promises and the absence of a clear review procedure increase concern. One clue alone is not proof; the combined verified discrepancies matter.
Use the OAK register
For a dissertation, independently check the discipline, exact journal title and current status in OAK’s official list. A genuine journal’s inclusion does not validate a third-party site pretending to be its editor.
Verification sources
- OAK — warning about fake and cloned journalsSource: official Uzbekistan OAK website; published 17.06.2026.
- OAK — electronic register of recommended scientific publicationsSource: official Uzbekistan OAK website; page date not stated.
Prepared from official OAK and Lex.uz publications. Principal source: OAK — warning about fake and cloned journals.