Science and pies.

13th April 2010

Post with 3 notes

Spam and phish sauce

I just recieved the following email to my current work email address:

Dear Donkeybreath Elephantnose [My actual name was here],
Together with my Conference Team I cordially invite you to the 4th BSA International Biological Science Research Conference, which will be held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, June 1st-4th, 2010. The conference is co-sponsored by the British Science Association (BSA) and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. The Lloyds TSB Bank also provides collaborative support for the conference. The theme of this year’s conference is “Evolution and Developmental Biology” and the conference will highlight the advancements and new developments in Developmental Biology

All renowned biological scientists will be at the conference and you are no exception. Participants should arrive Tuesday, June 1st, as we will hold an informal social hour that evening from 5:30-7:30pm. Sandwiches, some glasses of wine and champagne should give you enough energy to stroll on your own afterwards and  catch the special atmosphere of Malaysia. The conference is scheduled for Wednesday, June 2nd, from 8:00am-5:30pm and Thursday, June 3rd, from 8:00am-5:30pm, and the Friday Workshop will be held from 8:00am- Noon. A social hour will follow each of the Wednesday and Thursday sessions.

We will be offering two $140,000USD Research grants to selected presentations/abstracts. You are therefore encouraged to submit your abstract for consideration and possible selection for the research grant. In addition, your abstract, if selected would be published at the next issue of the reputable Science Journal. Please ensure to send your abstract topic with respect to the conference theme within 3days for consideration.

This year’s conference will be held at the Ritz Hotel, Malaysia. Please note that accommodation and return flight tickets from your country of residence would be provided for selected abstracts. 


We are looking forward to seeing you in Malaysia!
Sincerely,
PROF. Dr. DAVID RUSTERHOLZ
President, British Science Association

Sounds fun doesn’t it? But alas this is obviously a fake: the British Science Association doesn’t like to be abbreviated to BSA, its President isn’t a Prof. Dr. David Rusterholz (that’s Lord May), they wouldn’t use a hotmail address and mobile number (not shown) to promote a major international conference, nor would they invite me. Really guys, you must try harder!

It seems odd to me that they would target scientists like this, but I suppose we are a large group, many of whom are sadly less than internet savvy.