SCAM Alert
SCAM Alert: Predatory Conference Organizer - Refused Refund ($513.45) for 18 Months
I registered and paid $513.45 USD on May 31, 2024, under Invoice #WCAMR414521BAR for the "World Congress on Addiction Medicine and Rehabilitation" (Barcelona, Nov 2024). I was accepted as an Oral Presenter. My recent communication attempts in November 2025 have also been ignored.
REFUND REFUSAL & FORCE MAJEURE:
Due to severe international sanctions and subsequent impossibility of obtaining a visa and securing stable flights from Iran (a Force Majeure situation), I was forced to cancel my attendance well in advance. I did not utilize the registration or the prepaid two nights of accommodation.
PREDATORY BEHAVIOR & LACK OF ACCOUNTABILITY:
For over 18 months, the organizers (Scientific Meetup / scientificmeetup.com) have:
Refused a Refund.
Used unofficial/unprofessional emails (e.g., @gmail.com) and passed me between contacts (Morrison Smith, Franklin J).
Wasted time by instructing me to "email the main company" without providing the correct address.
This is a Predatory Conference. They actively exploit international researchers, especially those in sanctioned countries, knowing that we cannot file official bank disputes (Chargebacks) after the initial 180-day window. They have delivered NO service but kept the full fee.
WARNING to the academic community: Do NOT trust or pay registration fees to Scientific Meetup or any affiliated congresses. They are running a scam operation that damages academic integrity.