A website created in the look and likeness of global media brand Forbes.com has been caught plagiarizing original reporting by The New York Times, USA Today, CNBC, and other news outlets.
ForbesLasVegas.com is not a legitimate Forbes-owned publication, but a grifter’s haven of sorts, where fake Forbes magazine covers have been photoshopped to feature Tom Cruise, Beyoncé, entrepreneurs Gary Vaynerchuk and Alex Hormozi, and Spanx founder Sara Blakely—all unbeknownst to them—and other local influencers.
Influencers have been known to pay as much as $12,000 for such coverage, but whether those specifically featured on Forbes Las Vegas covers did so is unestablished.
The fake covers contain egregious errors including incoherent text, misspelled celebrity names, and glaring typographical errors.
Beyond fraudulent magazine covers, a team behind the website has been plagiarizing original reporting by outlets including Business Insider, the New York Times, CNBC, and USA Today.
Fake Forbes Plagiarizes POW Obit Word-for-Word from The New York Times
On February 1, 2024, The New York Times published an obituary on Mr. Jack Jennings, by Times reporter Richard Sandomir:
On February 2, Forbes Las Vegas publishes Mr. Sandomir’s piece word-for-word, backdating it to February 1, according to website meta data. Beyond revising the obit’s title to end with “- Forbes Las Vegas,” the publication made no changes to the article’s text or content.
This, Plagiarism.org defines, is textbook plagiarism, “…an act of fraud.”
Importantly, on ForbesLasVegas.com, the author of this and a large number of similarly stolen articles, is listed as “Forbes Staff”—i.e., no mention is made of the articles’ true authors.
Article text on ForbesLasVegas.com, likely too small to be read on a mobile device as it appears here in image form, is a verbatim copy of The New York Times’ obituary.
Forbes Las Vegas plagiarism has come in the form of both published news articles, and of social media content.
From the former, it deleted key identifying details, names, and links.
From the latter, it deleted or cropped out the logos of the original publishers, who are valid news organization.
While reposting or sharing social media content is generally perfectly professionally acceptable, industry ethics suggests proper reposting gives credit to original creators.
Forbes Las Vegas did the opposite, intentionally removing or cropping out identifying logos.
A team behind the website is believed to operate out of Bengaluru, India.
Forbes Las Vegas’ authors, the website says, include “Forbes Staff” and “Jose Reber.”
- Author “Forbes Staff,” the website claims, “is an official member of the esteemed Forbes team, dedicated to delivering high-quality content and insightful journalism. With a deep understanding of the industry and a passion for uncovering compelling stories, Forbes Staff brings their expertise to the world of fashion. As a trusted member of the Forbes team, they contribute to the renowned Forbes platform, providing readers with valuable insights into the global fashion landscape.”
- Author “Jose Reber,” the website claims, “is a professional writer based in Wisconsin. He guides editorial teams consisting of writers across the US to help them become more skilled and diverse writers. In his free time he enjoys spending time with his wife and children.”
Plagiarism is professionally unacceptable. Something a legitimate publication would be utterly run through the wringer for, with firings and public apologies not at all uncommon.
The unauthorized use of trademarked logos, and the intentionally deceptive use of looks and likenesses, is illegal in many circumstances
None involved have been formally charged in violating Forbes’ or others’ trademarks or copyrights.
Plagiarism a Core Quality of Fake Forbes Site
“The purpose of a system is what it does.” – Anthony Stafford Beer, British theorist (1926 – 2002).
“On a call with CNBC, Chief Financial Officer Richard McPhail said demand dipped throughout the year as consumers returned to more typical spending patterns. He added that falling lumber prices and rising interest rates hurt the business.”
“Home Depot beats earnings, sales estimates even as consumers take on smaller home improvement projects,” February 20, 2024, by Melissa Repko
“On a call with Forbes, Chief Financial Officer Richard McPhail said demand dipped throughout the year as consumers returned to more typical spending patterns. He added that falling lumber prices and rising interest rates hurt the business.”
Home Depot beats earnings, sales estimates even as consumers take on smaller home improvement projects – Forbes Las Vegas,” Feb. 21, 2024, by Forbes Staff
Home Depot Beats Earnings:
- CNBC original: “Home Depot beats earnings, sales estimates even as consumers take on smaller home improvement projects,” February 20, 2024, by Melissa Repko.
- Forbes fake: “Home Depot beats earnings, sales estimates even as consumers take on smaller home improvement projects – Forbes Las Vegas,” Feb. 21, 2024, by Forbes Staff.
- Summary: Gross plagiarism, almost total, CNBC conversation attributed to Forbes.
Tech Firms Sign Pact:
Article text on ForbesLasVegas.com, likely too small to be read on a mobile device as it appears here in image form, is a verbatim copy of a CNBC piece published a day earlier.
ForbesLasVegas.com is a new website registered to a private and undisclosed individual, which cropped up just over a month ago, on January 15, 2024.
It has since published nearly 350 articles, or an average of 9 per day.
Dozens of these articles, reviewed by Surgical Times, are plagiarized word-for-word, and attributed to “Forbes Staff.”
Surgical Times reached out to Forbes Las Vegas and to Forbes proper. Forbes Las Vegas blocked the Times on the one means of contact it had been able to establish. The publication lists no other means of contact, nor does its website include an About Us or Contact page. Should it wish to clarify or correct any misconception it feels the Times has or is reporting, it is welcome and encouraged to. Beyond the representative images included here, Surgical Times has dozens more on file.