INTERNET FRAUD

We love to be popular but not with fraudsters. Internet fraud is a threat to civil society globally.

Our vision is a responsible, truly globally representative and democratic Amphibian and Reptile Conservation journal.

We are the original publisher and continue to be the publisher of Amphibian and Reptile Conservation journal.

Internet fraud includes the use of the Internet for copyright violations, false claims, and defamation for gain or for other purposes. Our documentation below is more than a defense of our journal but serves as a warning to the global scientific and conservation community of tolerating Internet fraudsters.  

We ask you to join us in the achievement of the ideals of our journal and particularly global networking, democratic representation, and freedom from national and institutional interests.

MEMBERSHIP

2011 - Internet based Amphibian and Reptile Conservation journal

Dr. Robert Browne is an internationally recognised professional conservation biologist who has devoted his life to the sustainable management of amphibians and reptiles. Craig Hassipakis is not a scientist or conservation professional and was working in "Hooters" a USA girlie fast food chain as a menial worker when he asked Dr. Browne to start up the Internet version of the Amphibian and Conservation journal based at this website.

Dr. Browne did this in good faith, despite cynicism about Craig Hassipakis by  many debtors for Craigs previous activities (as Below) because of Hassapakis' claimed good intentions to reform and a desire for a new direction and proper management of Amphibian and Reptile Conservation journal. 

In 2011 the Internet based Amphibian and Reptile Conservation journal (ARC) was established www.redlist-arc.org by Dr. Robert Browne with Craig Hassapakis as editor under the principles of global and democratic management as a NGO. Craig Hassipakis did not co-operate in the formation of the NGO as he apparently could not operate bank accounts in the USA, probably because of his previous fraud in association with a previous paper version of the ARC journal and perhaps bankrupsy, and so the formation of a Belizean company to manage the journal was considered. However, at the time of Craig Hassipakis' break away from the ARC to form his pirate illicit journal  the company was not fully formed and so the Amphibian and Reptile Conservation journal was a partnership.

Craig Hassipakis was the owner and publisher of a paper journal titled Amphibian & Reptile Conservation, that failed in 2006 due to long term mismanagement. With a scattering of less than 20 articles in 5 "Issues" between 1996 and 2006, Craig Hassapakis left debts to numerous subscribers (700+ subscribers in 2000) including libraries, zoos, the public, and the publishers including a debts of many thousands of dollars.

With Craig Hassapakis's permission www.redlist-arc.org, as a partnership, incorporated all previous products of the failed paper version of the ARC.  

In mid 2013 Craig Hassapakis began a malicious Internet based program to claim sole ownership of the ARC.

In 2013 a website that has clearly violated ARC copyright was uploaded by Craig Hassapakis www.amphibian-reptile-conservation.org This fraudulent website was created under a false claim by Craig Hassapakis that he owned the Amphibian and Reptile Conservation journal.

Dr. Robert Browne (current ARC President) has since defended the principles of the ARC, and its expansion into a truly democratic and global owned organisation. 

Unfortunately, Craig Hassapakis has responded with fraudulent and defamatory Internet based campaign  against the Amphibian and Reptile Conservation journal and Dr. Robert Browne.

Craig Hassapakis's long history of fraudulent and dismal business management

Craig Hassipakis was the owner and publisher of a paper journal titled Amphibian & Reptile Conservation, that failed in 2006 due to long term mismanagement that left numerous still unpaid debts. With a scattering of less than 20 articles in 5 "Issues" between 1996 and 2006, Craig Hassapakis left numerous subscriber (700+ subscribers in 2000) to entities including libraries, zoos, the public, and the publishers including a debts of many thousands of dollars.

The Editorial by Craig Hassapakis of the Second Issue Venezuela published in 2000 states "Our mission is further set, and I think it easy to visualize our intended mission, based on the observation of each new issue. Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (ARC) now numbers over 700+ subscribers and has printed and distributed 3,000 copies each of both issues 2 and 3, thus making ARC the largest distributed, English language, herpetological scientific journal in the world. I view my role with the journal as "carrying the torch" as editor and publisher, while many interested in assisting the journal have come "on board" as advisors coeditors, special section editors, or contributors, in-country liaisons, and in other ways."

The Venezuela issue had that only one article of about 8 pages of text. see journal

Craig Hassapakis's profit from volunteers and well wishers, and his ownership are disguised as "carrying the torch" as editor and publisher. In the Venezuela issue, Craig Hassapakis presented an Advisory Board of 11, an Editorial Review Board of 12, 2 Section Editors, 7 Contributors, etc. to publish only one article.  

Subscribers had to wait until 2004, for the next ARC paper issue on Honduras that had only 2 articles. The final Issue of the paper ARC was in 2006 with 5 articles and since then nothing published; a failed and insolvent journal.

Craig Hassipakis on his sites home page 30/12/2014 states the blatent lie "ARC has been privately funded by the founder and editor of the journal and his supporters the past 19 years (since its founding in 1996), but the majority of efforts and production work (editing, graphic design, website maintenance and operation, etc.) are contributed on a voluntary basis; thus, we function as a nonprofit organization for the preservation and conservation of amphibian and reptilian species worldwide."

Craig's funding supporters are apparently the institutions and individuals Craig defrauded.

Craig Hassapakis is not a professional

Craig Hassapakis is not a professional scientist and to our knowledge has never published a peer reviewed scientific article. He has no qualifications to manage any scientific related endeavour and has entirely relied on using others work to build his Internet based and fallacious reputation.

Dr. Robert Browne and the Internet based Amphibian and Reptile Conservation journal

Craig Hassipakis worked with the new Internet based ARC www.redlist-arc.org as a co-editor, and then editor as Dr. Robert Browne focussed on business management, web site development, and publishing. However, management problems with Craig included failure to cooperate in forming a business plan and management strategies, fiscally irresponsibility and owing moneys to Dr. Robert Browne who paid for the website, and disregard of the guiding principles of the ARC.

Craig Hassapakis fraud since 2013

In mid 2013 Craig Hassapakis began a malicious and deceptive program to claim sole ownership of the ARC, including the sending of malicious and threatening emails to our staff, blackmails to individuals and organisations, invasions of privacy, and defamatory and misleading emails and newsletters to the public. 

Especially, Craig Hassapakis also engaged in a campaign defaming previous authors of Amphibian and Reptile Conservation journal and attacked the integrity of the journal itself.

Craig Hassapakis's email below clearly states Dr. Robert Browne's at least 45% ownership of the partnership of the ARC that Dr. Robert Browne has now distributed ownership among the current ARC global network. 

Dr. BROWNE"S OWNERSHIP -From Craig Hassapakis - 090813

Hi Robert,
I just acquired Howard's interest in ARC through a deal I brokered with him. I now own 55% of ARC (My original 45% and Howard's previous 10%). What are you presently asking from me so I can get my journal 100% back?

We do not agree that Craig at this stage even had claim to 45% or Howard to 10%

..................

Craig Hassapakis then had a bogus board meeting, the ARC had a board and there are no records of such a decision by this board. We believe Craig's board consisted of him and Howard Clark even though the ARC had a proper board. A clear example of fraud. Craig Hassapakis often presents his deceptions using the term "official" and continues the practice today on his fraudulent website.

From Craig Hassapakis - email 17/08/2013
Official notices will be posted and distributed through herpetological publications (FrogLog, Amphibian & Reptile Conservation, and others) online and in print of the official move of the ARC website and editorship. These notices will also declare that Robert K. Browne of Belize (aka Dr. Robert Browne [email protected]  or to Isla Road, Sarteneja, Corozal District, Belize) no longer is associated with the journal by official vote of the board and that no papers and/or communication should be continued with the old website at: www.redlist-ARC.org.

In fact the "old website" and our netwrok were publishers of Amphibian and Reptile Conservation journal and remain so, conditional to the ARC journal and affiliates being now common owners. 

From a business perspective the ARC was a partnership that had no assets besides the website that Dr. Robert Browne conceptualised, financed, developed and published. On the 17/08/13 Dr. Robert Browne was publisher of Amphibian and Reptile Conservation journal and Craig Hassapakis was an editor.

For documentary confirmation see cover page of last ARC publication that Craig Hassapakis was involved in that states that Dr. Robert Browne was publisher - Robert Browne, Internet Publisher; Craig Hassapakis, Editor; Howard Clark, Producer "Published by: Amphibian and Reptile Conservation, C/O Dr. Robert Browne, Isla Road, Sarteneja, Corozal District, Belize." link

Craig then in late 2013 established the fraudulent website www.reptile-amphibian-conservation.org

Amphibian and Reptile Conservation journal becomes a truly international organisation

Consequently, Dr. Browne (current ARC International President) took management and custodianship of the ARC as a failed partnership in respect to his contribution, his copyright, and unpaid debts by Craig Hassapakis.

Dr. Robert Browne defended the principles of the ARC, its responsibilities to authors, and distributed ownership among the current ARC global network.  

Amphibian and Reptile Conservation journal established its first Regional Chapter in 2014

In consideration of the commitment of the ARC to globally network the first Regional Chapter - Middle East was established in 2014.

Craig Hassapakis's Internet campaign of abuse toward the Amphibian and Conservation journal and its President, Dr. Robert Browne

Craig Hassapakis's efforts to illegally claim ownership of the Amphibian and Reptile Conservation journal have often been directed as personal attacks on Dr. Robert Browne.

We have email documentation of Craig Hassapakis's threat, which he has taken into action, of a trial of Dr. Robert Browne in the "court of public opinion" and that Dr. Robert Browne would be "very, very sorry" for not complying with Craig Hassapakis's threats.

The "court of public opinion" approach of Craig Hassapakis is a threat to the scientific profession and to civil society globally.

Craig Hassapakis's ethical standards in respect to claiming Amphibian and Reptile Conservation journal have further extended to blackmail, perjury, and most recently jingoism against Australians and herpetologists from the Middle Eastern Region.

Craig Hassapakis has no respect for USA laws on copyright or perjury

A full 46% of websites from the USA violate copyright and perjury is rarely prosecuted even with overwhelming evidence. USA citizens like Craig Hassapakis take advantage of this legislative weakness.

On June 10th 2014 the "Amphibian and Reptile Conservation organization" as an unspecified group issued a Digital Millennium Copyright Act" notice against our web site. This DMCA was perjurious under USA Federal Law as it stated that "ARC (Craig's fraudulent ARC) is the owner of the content" of the Amphibian and Reptile Conservation organisation and www.redlist-arc.org website. see DMCA NOTICE PDF

"I have a good faith belief the use of material in the manner complained of is not authorized by the copyright owner, its agent, or the law, and the information in this notification is accurate, and that statements made herein are made under penalty of perjury."

We immediately issued a counter notice and our website was validified and reinstated.

Criag's lies continue and his website 30/12/2004 states "In addition, if an article or any of our content appears on another website and claims to be Amphibian & Reptile Conservation, Amphibian and Reptile Conservation, or ARC, it is fraudulent and in violation of international law.

In fact Craig Hassipakis and his "organisation' have been in violation of USA and international law.

Craig Hassapakis's scientific and conservation jingoism is clearly a threat to herpetological conservation

Craig Hassapakis in his desperation as his pile of deception and fraud grows has now resorted to jingoism in undermining both herpetology in the Middle East and Dr. Robert Browne.

Recently on Face book posts, Dr. Robert Browne's professional integrity as a scientist is attacked through guilt by association with an Australian herpetological publisher that Dr. Browne has no association with (Craig Hassapakis's comment "also from Australia oddly enough, as is Robert K. Browne").

Hassipakis also misinformed a prominent USA herpetologist as to the status of the first Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Regional Chapter, the ARC-Middle East. Note that ARC Chapters are semi-autonomous and independently owned.

The USA herpetologist, who we regard as simply another person subject to Craig Hassapakis's deception and lies as published on Craig Hassapakis's website, posted on Face book attacking the Middle East Chapter of Amphibian and Reptile Conservation and incidentally Dr. Robert Browne. Dr. Robert Browne is not a principle of the ARCME, although he is a board member, and has no claim of ownership of the ARCME.

Besides many major inaccuracies the post below clearly has the original ARC website and Craig Hassapakis's fraudulent website back the front in terms or president "the two disassociated with each other, and Browne began publishing his version of ARC separately from the original ARC (which continues publication today under its original publisher Craig Hassapakis at.. ".

Also "To add to the confusion, and to avoid a lawsuit (I suppose) Browne now calls his publication ARC Middle East and Amphibian and Reptile Conservation" is completely inaccurate as neither the ARC or the ARCME are Dr. Browne's but clearly owned and published by their relative organisations.

We quote from this post “To all Iranian herpetology researchers: I wish to call your attention to a matter concerning Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (ARC). Currently two separate journals are being published under the ARC title (Amphibian & Reptile Conservation [the original journal] and Amphibian and Reptile Conservation [Robert Browne's ARC). The legitimate ARC was originally founded by Craig Hassapakis in 1996. I encouraged Craig from the start as he struggled on his own to establish a quality journal and I therefore helped him by volunteering to be the guest editor for the Iran issue, during which time Robert Browne entered the picture. Shortly thereafter, the two disassociated with each other, and Browne began publishing his version of ARC separately from the original ARC (which continues publication today under its original publisher Craig Hassapakis at .... To add to the confusion, and to avoid a lawsuit (I suppose) Browne now calls his publication ARC Middle East and Amphibian and Reptile Conservation ...."

Finally Craig Hassapakis ended a Face book post with reference to Dr. Robert Browne as "This is the most unethical thing a person can do in science is publish someone else’s hard gained efforts as your own and has permanently alienated Robert from the field of respected herpetologist in the field such as ...."

This is disingenuous and misleading as Craig Hassapakis is in fact the one publishing others hard gained efforts as his own, and in any case in science the above ethics refers to scientific works and plagiarism. 

The future of Amphibian and Reptile Conservation journal

The future of Amphibian and Reptile Conservation journal clearly consists of exposing Craig Hassapakis and his supporters threat to global herpetological conservation, scientific integrity, and to civil society globally.

The Amphibian and Reptile Conservation journal has now implemented a management strategy that includes common ownership of the ARC by our Regional and Thematic Chapters, and extending the ARC into a truly globally representative organisation. see Home Page  ARC Management Lateral Networking Creative Contribution

The Amphibian and Reptile Conservation journal www.redlist-arc.org and its chapters including the Middle East Chapter www.redlist-arcme.org will continue to promote global networking of conservation herpetologists independent of personal, national or institutional interests.

For further information [email protected]