An Indonesian researcher's discovery of a colleague using multiple identities to present research at an international conference has triggered a national investigation into academic fraud, raising serious concerns about research integrity and oversight in Indonesia.
An Indonesia n researcher attending a major scientific conference in Denmark observed a colleague presenting the same individual under multiple different names, sparking an investigation into alleged academic fraud that has raised concerns about research integrity across Indonesia.
The incident occurred at the 14th Meeting of the International Society on Pneumonia and Pneumococcal Diseases (ISPPD-14) held in Copenhagen from May 17 to 21, 2025. Wa Ode Dwi Daningrat, a clinical medicine researcher from the University of Oxford, noticed that a woman who introduced herself as Riana Dwi Kurniawati presented one study, and then roughly ten minutes later appeared at another session introducing herself as Dimas Fajar Prasetyo, a male name, to present a second paper.
This pattern repeated with additional aliases including Prihantini. The same individual presented multiple abstracts under different identities, raising immediate red flags about the authenticity of the research and the identities of those supposedly conducting it. The alleged fraudsters are said to have misused the names of legitimate researchers without their knowledge and may have obtained travel grants under false pretenses.
Following the conference, Wa Ode Dwi reported her findings to the ISPPD organizing committee, which confirmed the list of abstracts and presenters associated with Indonesian travel grant recipients. Indonesian authorities, including the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) and the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology, have opened a formal investigation. Four individuals-Rifaldy Fajar, Prihantini, Rini Winarti, and Riana Dwi Kurniawati-have been questioned.
They completed undergraduate studies at Yogyakarta State University between 2019 and 2021 and later obtained master's degrees from other institutions. Minister Brian Yuliarto stated that law enforcement agencies are involved to determine appropriate legal charges and to set a deterrent example.
The case has ignited widespread debate on social media and within academic circles about the pressures facing Indonesian researchers, the adequacy of oversight mechanisms, and the potential for similar misconduct elsewhere, especially with the growing use of artificial intelligence in research. Some fear the scandal could damage the international reputation of Indonesian academia if not addressed decisively. Calls are mounting for systemic reforms, including stricter verification of conference submissions, better mentorship, and robust integrity training.
The incident underscores the challenges of maintaining research credibility in an increasingly digital and competitive global environment, where fraudulent practices can cross borders and undermine public trust in science
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