Some of you may recall hearing of, or have had first hand experience with, the "loan requests" from "Dr. Rehmani" (originally "Dr. Haq", then "Dr. Mohammad F. Haq Rehmani", then just Dr. Rehmani, and now "Dr. Shaikh. T. Rehman") - first exposed in 2003, and again in 2012 - and apparently just starting another assault on the scientific community. He targets a variety of different collections, including insects, asking to borrow things that he thinks he can sell, on the pretext for either needing it to restock specimens lost from his fictitious museum, or for his fictitious research program. If this rings no bells, I urge you to read the article linked below, plus the comments posted on it.

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From: [log in to unmask] [[log in to unmask]] on behalf of Katherine Maslenikov [[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Monday, September 12, 2016 1:24 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [Nhcoll-l] Fwd: A request from an Indian scientist

Hello All,

It seems Dr. Rehmani is back at it with new requests for specimens now targeted at NOAA. There was a request to the Alaska Fisheries Science Center in 2015 and a new request to the Northwest Fisheries Science Center last week.  If this is the first you are hearing of this- please don't respond to requests from this person. He sells the specimens from his biological supply company in India at very high prices. Here is an article about this from 2012, quoting Andy Bentley:


We have requests from him dating back to 1986. The best tactic is just to ignore him. I'm quite sure he just grabs names of scientists and adds them to his request to try to add validity, but I doubt Dominique was ever involved with this request.

-Katherine




We received following request from  India for spotted rat fish samples ,
with recommendations from Dr. Dominique A. Didier ,Professor -Biology,,
Millersville, PA , E-mail<[log in to unmask]u
<mailto:[log in to unmask]du>>



------------------------
Request from India
Hello,

Presently, I am working Research on the Comparative Skeletal Morphology
of World Chimaeridae fish family.



I am in need of  *50* Specimens of DEAD & PRESERVED ( In 5 % Formalin OR
70 % Alcoholic Preserved) */Hydrolagus colliei /*,spotted Rat-fish( Size
Range: 10"-15")for my research studies.



*On most humanitarian ground, please bring this request in the knowledge
of your Science Director to ask the Fisheries Biologists to provide
these specimens **via USPS Priority Express Parcel Or UPS Expedite
Service OR. Freight-Paid DHL( International : Economy) shipment.*



*Since these Fishes are nor restricted/Nor Endangered and neither CITES
listed and can be sent frequently to India by completing the US Wildlife
 Form No. ** 3-177 and very simple Postal Customs Forms.*


 *I assure you that I shall mention gratefully your Director's Name and
Fish Biologist's  name  and  material help  in our Research publication
and shall provide you few copies of  the published Result for your kind
perusal and record.*



Please be so kind to help me in this matter.

Anxiously, I am awaiting to have your earliest reply.



Dr. Shaikh T.Rehman

Director

MLS-Bioscience Laboratory

Institute of Higher Education

1066 Civil Lines

Jhansi-284001, U.P.

INDIA.

E-Mail : <mailto:[log in to unmask]om>[log in to unmask]
<mailto:[log in to unmask]om>



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Katherine Pearson Maslenikov
Collections Manager
University of Washington Fish Collection
School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences and
Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture
Box 355100
Seattle, WA 98195