BRIN Researchers Report Research Fraudsters Have Been Active Since Last Year
Amid a scandal of scientific research fraud at the international pneumonia experts conference, ISPPD, held in Copenhagen from 17-21 May 2026, BRIN researcher Oki Hidayat stated that researchers Prihantini, Rifaldy Fajar, and Rini Winarti had previously engaged in similar practices during the Asian Raptor Research and Conservation Network event in Taiwan last April.
“We had several Indonesian delegates, including from IPB University, Udayana University, Raptor Indonesia, the Raptor Conservation Society, and other researchers and raptor experts. Around ten of us attended, and we coordinated beforehand,” he told Media Indonesia on Wednesday (27 May).
“We had a separate WhatsApp group for those travelling. We were surprised when we arrived and checked the abstract book, finding three Indonesian-authored articles on raptors—but none of us recognised the authors,” Oki added.
“Further, he noted multiple irregularities with the unknown researchers, including posters that failed to meet committee standards. We didn’t know any of them. When we arrived in Taiwan, their posters were displayed among the exhibition. They were A4 size instead of the required A0, with two posters stacked vertically containing identical content. We immediately grew suspicious,” he said.
“Suspicion grew when the researchers were absent from the event, suggesting they had attended solely to secure travel grants. We suspected something was amiss but couldn’t investigate further as the individuals were untraceable. Now the case has gone viral—this time, the fraudsters were caught presenting their work directly,” Oki said.
“We tried to meet them to discuss their unique research, but they never attended—only sticking up posters and leaving immediately. No chance to engage with other Indonesian delegates,” he added.
Separately, Prof Syartinilia Wijaya, a senior lecturer at IPB University’s Faculty of Agriculture who attended the 2025 Taiwan conference, also expressed suspicion.
“I took photos of their posters but never met them. They didn’t appear for the two-day conference, only displaying non-compliant posters with questionable content. One poster was on a research area I’ve worked on for 20 years—I was surprised a young Indonesian presented it, as no such study had been conducted,” Syartinilia stated.
“As a lecturer and researcher, she expressed frustration: ‘It takes immense effort to present abroad, yet they take shortcuts. These young people are resourceful but lack academic integrity. They should face sanctions, but as independents not affiliated with universities or research institutions, they act with impunity,’ she added.
Minister of Education, Science and Technology Brian Yuliarto stated he is investigating allegations of academic integrity and research ethics violations involving parties using Indonesian institutional affiliations.