The Dalian Letters: A BIT Much

Ever heard of BIT Life Sciences? It is a Chinese company–and spammer extraordinaire–that bills itself as “World Leader of Intelligence Exchange in Life Science” (http://www.bitlifesciences.com/conferences.asp). It promotes, relentlessly, “World Congresses” on, it seems, everything it can think of. Below is a sampling of my correspondence with “Nina,” “Alina,” and others about invitations to speak at several of these events.

From: soffina [mailto:soffina3@genecongress.com]
Sent: Mon 8/16/2010 3:18 AM
Subject: 056-Confirmation of your response at BIT’s 1st WCF-2010, Dalian, China

It is regretted that we did not receive your response on our former invitation letter to the BIT’s 1st Annual World Congress of Forensics (WCF-2010) … . On behalf of the organizing committee of WCCAS-2010, we sincerely hope you could deliver a speech in this great conference. …

PS: We expect your precious comments or suggestions on the structure of our program, also your reference to other speakers will be highly appreciated. …

Ms. Nina Zhao
Program Coordinator

RE: 056-Confirmation of your response at BIT’s 1st WCF-2010, Dalian, China
Date: 2010-08-16  21:03:11
To: soffina3@genecongress.com; eva@bitconferences.com; nina@bitconferences.com; emma@bitconferences.com; francis@bitlifesciences.com; vivian@bitlifesciences.com; evelyn@bitlifesciences.com; leo@bitlifesciences.com

I have explained 4 times that I cannot attend and I have sent 7 emails asking to be removed from your mailing lists. PLEASE stop emailing me. (Wo bu neng qu. Fasong le qi ge dianzi. Xianzai QING nin tingzhi.)
 
I am sending a copy of this email to individuals currently listed on your website as speakers at the conference as well as those listed as invited speakers in your email to me. I understand that many of the latter group have declined your invitation, and it is dishonest to continue to use their names.

RE: 056-Confirmation of your response at BIT’s 1st WCF-2010, Dalian, China
From: [Unnamed forensic scientist]
Date: August 17, 2010, 9:28 p.m.

I have been on their list of speakers, key note speakers, section coordinators and every other imaginable role for months. I have asked, requested, begged, demanded etc to be totally removed from any mailings, email lists and/or promotionals- without success. I wrote a blurb explaining that I wasn’t going and requested and received cooperation from the American Board of Forensic Odontology and the American Society of Forensic Odontology in email blasting their total membership , which was forwarded around the nation and world to other forensic organizations announcing to them and the world that I was not presenting, key note speaking or even going, including my history of requests- ad infinitum- to be removed from their promotions in all forms.  To my total surprise, I received responses from individuals in Italy, New Zealand, Japan and many other countries who had planned to attend and were cancelling their plans.  I’m pretty sure the AAFS can’t do an email blast on its own (all those legal reasons) but I’m not sure they couldn’t forward an email from one of their menbers (or many of their members- all of us!) announcing he or she is not attending, never intended to go and was being listed on this conference promotional materials against his/her wishes.  If we all sent such an email that was forwarded, the AAFS and all the organizations it touches would clearly know the truth about this organization and its operational methods.  As you can see in the latest list of invited speakers, I’m still on the list. 

Re: News from WDD-2011
Date: Saturday, September 25, 2010 8:00 PM
From: “alina” <alina@dnaday.com>

Thank you for your reply! It is not easy for me to apply for your financial support because our committee usually provides the financial support for the speakers who could successfully recommend some speakers for us, and your kind assisstance and cooperation could also help me apply, however, I do not have your presentation title, if you could give us the title, it is also easier to apply. We are looking forward to your title and recommendation list.

Best regards,
Ms. Alina Qian
WDD-2011 Organizing Committee

Re: News from WDD-2011
Saturday, October 9, 2010 9:28 PM
To: “alina” <alina@dnaday.com>

I take it that you have secured the honorarium to cover my travel, housing, and other expenses. This is good news because I cannot come without financial support. I can speak on “forensic genetics: freeing the innocent and convicting the guilty with DNA evidence.” …

Tuesday, November 2, 2010 3:22 AM
From: “alina” <alina@dnaday.com>
Subject: News from WDD-2011

How are you doing? We hope everything is fine for you!  We resend an e-mail to make sure whether you have received our former e-mail and … whether it is convenient for you to recommend some speakers for us. Because the more speakers you recommmend, the more opportunity I can grasp to apply for your financial support. Thus I hope you could recommend more speakers for us. Thanks in advance. …

Best regards,
Ms. Alina Qian
WDD-2011 Organizing Committee

From: [Unnamed Professor of Medical Education]
To: DH Kaye
Sent: Thursday, October 21, 2010 11:51 AM
Subject: question

I noted with interest today that you are the co-chair of the International DNA and Genome Day in China.  I recently received an email asking me to make a presentation at that conference.  I receive many such requests that are not truly invited presentations but simply a message blanketing many people in the field to increase attendance at the conference.  In my experience invited presentations to other countries includes covering expenses.  I have not, however, received any such offer from the organizers.

I am writing to ask if you can clarify this situation.  Thank you.

From: Kaye, David
Sent: Thursday, October 21, 2010 1:20 PM
RE: question

My role in the program is news to me. I received the kind of request you did, advised them that I would consider speaking if a reasonable honorarium could be provided. I never received a clear response. I have not agreed to speak, and I have nothing to do with organizing the conference. I’ll tell them to remove my name from their materials. …

Re: News from WDD-2011
Date: Tuesday, November 23, 2010 12:36 AM
From: “alina” <alina@dnaday.com>
 

This is Alina, from the organizing committee of WDD-2010. I’m writing for your short abstract, we need it for the fund application for you, would you please send it to me at your convenient? Also it will be better if you could offer me a potencial speaker list that you would like to invite for this sessoin, it will be more helpful for the fund application. Thanks. …

Subject: Support information from WDD-2011
From: alina <alina@dnaday.com>
Date: Thursday, December 16, 2010, 1:27 AM

This is Alina, writing to bring you support information from the organizing committee. After the application, the committee would like to offer some funds for you, you only need to pay $800 for packageA, which will include both registration and 6 days’ accommodation, Please let me know if it is suitable for you? Sincerely hope you will not miss it. …

Subject: Re: Support information from WDD-2011
To: “alina” <alina@dnaday.com>
Cc: Kate1@rm-sc.com, lunar2@cancercon.com, amy2@genecongress.com
Date: Thursday, December 16, 2010, 3:47 PM

Thank you for your continued interest in my attendance. My paying $800 to speak at your conference is more than it would cost me to pay for registration and a hotel room. Furthermore, in October, I received the following email from a colleague in America:

“I noted with interest today that you are the co-chair of the International DNA and Genome Day in China.  I recently received an email asking me to make a presentation at that conference.  I receive many such requests that are not truly invited presentations but simply a message blanketing many people in the field to increase attendance at the conference.  In my experience invited presentations to other countries includes covering expenses.  I have not, however, received any such offer from the organizers.”

I never agreed to co-chair any program, the use of my name in your promotional materials is unauthorized and unacceptable, and I shall not participate in this or any other program organized by BIT Life Sciences.

Please remove my name from all email lists.

Re: Support information from WDD-2011
To: Daniel3@bit-ibio.com
Cc: Kate1@rm-sc.com, lunar2@cancercon.com, amy2@genecongress.com, “alina” <alina@dnaday.com>
Sent: Friday, December 17, 2010 9:46 AM

Based on emails I have received from various scientists, it appears that you or your associates have used my name and those of a number of scientists without permission in your advertising. … In 2009, BIT Life Sciences was accused of fraudulent practices (www.the-scientist.com/blog/display/55895/).

I would be grateful if you would remove all references to me from your mailings and your mailing lists,

From: Nina Zhao [mailto:ada1@dnaday.com]
Sent: Mon 1/17/2011 2:39 AM
To: David H. Kaye
Subject: 147-To be a Speaker at BIT’s 2nd Annual World Congress of Forensics (WCF-2011)

Based upon your great contributions to the field of forensics, the organizing committee cordially invites you to participate in BIT’s 2nd Annual World Congress of Forensics (WCF-2011). The theme of this conference is Science, Justice and Peace, and it will be held from October 15 to October 17, 2011 in Chongqing, China.

As we know your work in this field is a clear example of the leadership, so we would like to highlight your effort at our conference and you are welcome to give a speech …

Sincerely Yours,
Ms. Nina Zhao
Organizing Committee of WCF-2011

RE: 147-To be a Speaker at BIT’s 2nd Annual World Congress of Forensics (WCF-2011)
Sent: Monday, January 17, 2011 12:27 PM
To: nina@bitconferences.com

Please take me off your mailing list immediately.

Subject: 147-To be a Speaker at BIT’s 2nd Annual World Congress of Forensics (WCF-2011)
From:   sherry1 [Sherry1@cancercon.com]
Sent:  Thu 1/20/2011 4:47 PM

Based upon your great contributions to the field of forensics, the organizing committee cordially invites you to participate in BIT’s 2nd Annual World Congress of Forensics (WCF-2011). … As we know your work in this field is a clear example of the leadership, so we would like to highlight your effort at our conference and you are welcome to give a speech at F218: Forensic Serology …

Sincerely Yours,
Ms. Nina Zhao
Organizing Committee of WCF-2011