Fake SCI Journals – How to Detect
There is no official list of fake SCI journals because only real SCI journals are listed by Web of Science (Clarivate). Any journal not found in the official Web of Science list is NOT SCI.
Why No Official Fake List Exists
- Fake journals change names frequently
- They copy names of real journals
- They create new websites every year
- Clarivate only lists real journals, not fake ones
How Fake SCI Journals Trick Authors
- Claim “SCI Indexed” on website
- Use fake Impact Factor numbers
- Use logos of Web of Science
- Send spam emails: “Your paper accepted”
- Very fast acceptance (2–5 days)
Step 1: Check Web of Science (Official)
Go to Web of Science Master Journal List and search the journal name.
- If journal is listed → It may be SCI/SCIE/SSCI
- If journal is NOT listed → It is NOT SCI
Step 2: Check Impact Factor Source
- Real IF comes only from Journal Citation Reports (JCR)
- Fake journals show IF from:
- Global Impact Factor
- Universal Impact Factor
- Cosmos Impact Factor
- These are fake metrics
Step 3: Check Publisher
Trusted publishers:
- Elsevier
- Springer
- Wiley
- IEEE
- ACM
If publisher is unknown or fake → danger
Step 4: Check Review Time
- Real SCI journal: 1–3 months review
- Fake journal: 2–5 days acceptance
Step 5: Check Website Quality
- Spelling mistakes
- No university address
- No real editor profiles
- No DOI information
- No ethics or plagiarism policy
Common Fake Claims
- “ISI Indexed” (old term misused)
- “SCI approved journal”
- “Fast publication in SCI journal”
- “Guaranteed acceptance”
Golden Rule
If a journal is truly SCI:
- It will appear in Web of Science Master Journal List
- It will appear in Journal Citation Reports (JCR)
- It will not guarantee acceptance
Final Summary
- No official fake SCI journal list exists
- Always verify from Web of Science
- Ignore fake impact factors
- Fast acceptance = big warning
- Check publisher and past papers
Source: sureshtechlabs.com