The only past instance I can think of that parallels this is Sam Gorlick, whose company Andgor advertised heads that were actually sculpted by Joy & Tom Studios, who were neither paid nor credited. He offered mini-me figures, presumably of the quality of the J&T sculpts on display. I don't know whether anything was ever delivered to any customers, but Andgor went under. Gorlick did slip back into the business a few years later, but has kept a low profile. I can't remember what company he works at.
