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Dear all, I've just stumbled upon this forum and am grateful to all of you for all the information and support you're giving. I would like to start a collection of fossils but have basically no knowledge on the matter. A few days ago I saw an auction on a common website with "expert confirmation and estimated price" and it was expiring a few hours later. I saw an opportunity and jumped on it. And by looking at the claw - I think I got scammed. So far I haven't payed for anything, but I'm being pressured to do so. Could someone tell me if all 3 are fake? The skeleton and the claw are from one seller, the skull is from another. The pictures of the claw obviously show 2 different ones, but they should be "the one" I won. Please advise

Corbacho, J. and Sendino, C., 2012. Fossil fakes and their recognition. Deposits Magazine, 30, pp.35-40. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/265208436_Fossil_fakes_and_their_recognition https://www.researchgate.net/publication/320686323_Fossil_fakes_and_their_recognition https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Joan_Corbacho Corbacho, J., I. Corbacho, S. Morrison, and M. Valent, 2015,. Latest techniques detected in the falsification of fossils. Batallería. vol. 22, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/284737545_Latest_techniques_detected_in_the_falsification_of_fossils Corbacho, J., Morrison, S., Llácer, S., and K. Hammond 2019, Use of CT Scanning and Radiography as Legal Expert Evidence in Paleontology (Trilobites of Morocco) American Journal of Life Sciences, 7(2), pp. 47-53 https://www.researchgate.net/publication/335176218_Use_of_CT_Scanning_and_Radiography_as_Legal_Expert_Evidence_in_Paleontology_Trilobites_of_Morocco https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Joan_Corbacho https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Use-of-CT-Scanning-and-Radiography-as-Legal-Expert-Corbacho-Morrison/63ac6432f865ccfa55d63a9ed97ef5dcde31607c Corbacho, J., 2019. Legal expert in paleontology: a new profession. trilobite Papers, 21, February. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/331260703_Legal_expert_in_paleontology_a_new_profession http://paleonet.org/TTP/TTP21.pdf Corbacho, J., Sendino, C. and Tahiri, M., 2011. Palaeontological fakes. Batalleria, 16, pp.37-45. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/265168169_Palaeontological_fakes_Falsificaciones_paleontologicas https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Joan_Corbacho Corbacho, J., Adserà, P. and de Barcelona, M.G.D.S., 2017. Sobre unas falsificaciones de fósiles de Tailandia. Batalleria (Barcelona): revista de paleontología, (24), pp.13-15. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/316669424_Sobre_unas_falsificaciones_de_fosiles_de_Tailandia Corbacho, J., Vela, J.A. and Cuevas, J.A., 2007. Falsificación de trilobites del norte de África. Batalleria, 13, pp.29-36. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/265168347_FALSIFICACION_DE_TRILOBITES_DEL_NORTE_DE_AFRICA Corbacho, J., 2008. Falsificación de fósiles del N. de África (no trilobites). Batalleria (Barcelona): revista de paleontología, (14), pp.49-56. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/265168516_FALSIFICACION_DE_FOSILES_DEL_N_DE_AFRICA_NO_TRILOBITES Corbacho, J., Corbacho, I., Morrison, S. and Valent, M., 2015. Últimas técnicas detectadas en la falsificación de fósiles. Batalleria, 22, pp.22-27. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/280938775_Ultimas_tecnicas_detectadas_en_la_falsificacion_de_fosiles A related web page. Avilés, J. 2017. To Identify Fossil Fakes: What You Need To Know: https://www.jurassic- dreams.com/pages/free-guide-how-to- identify-fossil-fakes-what- you-need-to-know Finally, a paper about authentic trilobite fossils. Giant Trilobites from Lower Ordovician of Morocco https://www.researchgate.net/publication/265168252_Giant_Trilobites_from_Lower_Ordovician_of_Morocco https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Joan_Corbacho Yours, Paul H.

Although the below papers and articles do not mention fossils specifically, I know that it is problem in Earth sciences, including paleontology, as two to four times a month I get spam soliciting articles for publication in predatory Earth "science" journals with names that either mimic real journals or make them sound like legitimate publications. Some go even to point of talking to me as if I was a world renowned expert in some field, which instantly exposed them as scams. Thirteen ways to spot a ‘predatory journal’ (and why we shouldn’t call them that) Larissa Shamseer and David Moher have taken a close look at what it is that sets dodgy journals apart from the rest, March 27, 2017 https://www.timeshighereducation.com/blog/thirteen-ways-to-spot-a-predatory-journal-and-why-we-shouldnt-call-them-that Rise in 'predatory publishers' has sparked a warning for scientists and researchers By Chris McLoughlin, ABC News, http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-04-13/rise-in-predatory-publishers-sparks-warning-for-researchers/9640950 Allen, M., 2018. Beware the Predatory Journal: It’s Not Just Fieldwork That is Dangerous. SAA Archaeological Record. 18(3) pp. 6-9. http://www.saa.org/Portals/0/SAA/Publications/thesaaarchrec/SAA_Record_May_2018 FINAL WEB 5.10.18.pdf http://onlinedigeditions.com/publication/?i=496953&view=contentsBrowser#{"issue_id":496953,"view":"contentsBrowser"} Johal, J., Ward, R., Gielecki, J., Walocha, J., Natsis, K., Tubbs, R.S. and Loukas, M., 2017. Beware of the predatory science journal: a potential threat to the integrity of medical research. Clinical Anatomy. 30(6) https://www.researchgate.net/publication/316992936_Beware_of_the_Predatory_Science_Journal_A_Potential_Threat_to_the_Integrity_of_Medical_Research Beware! Academics are getting reeled in by scam journals The number of predatory publishers is skyrocketing – and they’re eager to pounce on unsuspecting scholars. By Alex Gillis, University Affairs, January 17, 2017 https://www.universityaffairs.ca/features/feature-article/beware-academics-getting-reeled-scam-journals/ Yours Paul H.

Today in online shops and auction sites, we see listings that are outright fake or with wrong IDs. Often, the first thing that comes is anger. "Why would he sell theropod indet. as raptor?" "That Keichosaurus is obviously fake!" "That's horn coral, not a T-Rex tooth..." etc. And in our anger, or need to prevent others from falling into the trap, we might post on the forum or spread it all over FB to warn others of this seller. Yet have we given the seller the benefit of the doubt? What if he/she made a genuine mistake? Recently I posted a thread filled with sarcasm and rage-humor on how a coral was marketed as an expensive sea bird fossil. It was too easy to ID the seller from my title and pictures. The mods thankfully closed the thread. Fossildude19 then contacted the seller, and reported the listing on the auction site. In 2 hours time, the listing was taken down, and the seller apologized for his mistake. The problem was solved quick and clean. I do not deny there are plenty of sellers out to scam. I do not advocate mercy for them, but I wish to tell you guys(and to remind myself) that some sellers are guilty of ignorance, not malice, and we should give them(and the auction site) a chance to remove their listing first. I know some of you are thinking - dealers have an even bigger responsibility to do their due research, and their laziness or mistakes causing buyers to lose $$$ isn't to be taken lightly. I agree. But we don't need to start witch hunts for them. All in all, I used to think reporting listings on eBay didn't work, but Fossildude19 proved it does. So give it a try guys; you can refer to this thread on how to do it >