6 Fake Products That Fooled The Entire World

Nikola Motors – The Electric Truck That Didn't Exist

Trevor Milton founded Nikola Motors and promised to revolutionise the trucking industry with hydrogen-powered electric semi-trucks. Investors poured millions into the company. The only problem? The truck didn’t actually work. Milton lied about nearly every aspect of Nikola’s technology—he claimed the company built a “fully functioning” prototype when he knew it was inoperable, claimed they were producing hydrogen when they weren’t, and claimed reservations were binding orders when they were cancellable. He was convicted of securities and wire fraud and sentenced to four years in prison, though he was pardoned in 2025.