Many now-famous historical figures were called “scams,” “frauds,” or “fakes” during their lifetime — often because their ideas were new, threatening, or misunderstood.
Here’s a concise list of the most famous people in history accused of being scams, even though many became icons later:
Accusation: “Mad scientist,” exaggerator, fraud.
Reality: Visionary inventor decades ahead of his time.
Accusation: Scam, heretic, liar (for saying Earth revolves around the Sun).
Reality: Father of modern astronomy.
Accusation: People said relativity was nonsense, pseudoscience.
Reality: Revolutionized physics.
Accusation: Fraud, scammer, liar about evolution.
Reality: His scientific theory changed biology forever.
Accusation: Total scam artists — newspapers refused to believe they flew.
Reality: Inventors of the airplane.
Accusation: His art was considered worthless; he was seen as a delusional fraud.
Reality: One of the most celebrated artists in history.
Accusation: Art critics called Impressionism a “scam” and a joke.
Reality: Founder of an art movement that changed painting forever.
Accusation: Fraud, liar, manipulated by others.
Reality: Heroine of France and canonized saint.
Accusation: Corrupting youth with fake ideas; “intellectual scammer.”
Reality: Founder of Western philosophy.
Accusation (from opponents of his era): Fraud, liar.
Reality: Founder of one of the world’s major religions.
Note: This refers to historical claims made by contemporaries who opposed him; not an endorsement of those claims.
Accusation (from Roman/Jewish authorities at the time): False prophet, fraud.
Reality: Central figure of Christianity, massively influential.
Again, this reflects historical accusations made during his lifetime.
Accusation: Scam, liar, heretic for challenging the Catholic Church.
Reality: Sparked the Protestant Reformation.
Accusation: Liar/exaggerator about his discoveries.
Reality: Historically significant explorer (though controversial today).
Accusation: “Scam artist” early in career — reality distortion, too ambitious, stealing ideas.
Reality: Co-founder of Apple; transformed tech.
Accusation: Frequently called a scam/fraud in his early years (PayPal, Tesla, SpaceX).
Reality: Major figure in EVs, space, and tech (regardless of opinions on him).
Many people labeled “scams” fall into 3 categories:
1. Innovators ahead of their time
Tesla, Wright Brothers, Galileo.
2. Religious or philosophical figures
Jesus, Muhammad, Socrates.
3. Disruptive entrepreneurs or creators
Jobs, Musk, Columbus.