There have been a few instances of contestants on "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" being accused of cheating or being fake winners. These accusations often stem from suspicions of collusion with the show's producers or other contestants.
Here are some examples:
- Charles Ingram: In 2001, Ingram was accused of cheating with the help of his wife and a friend in the audience. They used coughing to signal the correct answers.
- Major Charles Ingram: Ingram's case was highly publicized, and he was ultimately found guilty of deception and sentenced to a two-year prison term.
It's important to note that these cases are rare and that "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" has a strict system in place to prevent cheating. However, the possibility of a fake winner always exists, as with any reality show.