They have the exact same pattern of random noise. The blue data points are clearly identical to the green ones; they have only been shifted downward by a constant amount. These are supposed to be two independent measurements, separated in time and in the value of certain parameters. An exactly duplicated pattern of noise is not something you would expect.

Today PR received an email from his famous and distinguished colleage TVR, asking him to not criticize Thapa and Pandey (the authors of the original paper), and to be patient. At the bottom of the email was a forwarded friendly discussion between TVR and Pandey.

PR replied with a "rather strong response" to TVR, including a cc to TVR's personal email address.

Shortly thereafter, he got a phone call from TVR.

It turns out that TVR HAD NEVER WRITTEN ANY SUCH EMAIL.

Both the email asking PR not to criticize the authors, and the supposed discussion between TVR and Pandey were fabricated by someone pretending to be TVR.