Say what, again...? If this story wasn't so sad, it would actually be funny.
I've got a story which is similar from my country. A guy was selling plastic bags full of "natural fresh mountain air, caught from a very special and clean region in certain mountain" on eBay. He made a couple of dollars before they banned him. I know that this example is on a lot smaller scale than what you discuss, but still it's an accomplishment worth mentioning...
People want to believe everything, as long as it comes along with a fancy promise.