The claims
Each entry pairs a reported miracle with the documentary record and an honest, confidence-labeled estimate of how likely it is that no natural explanation accounts for it.
5 claims
2% authenticStrong natural explanation
Televangelist Peter Popoff was exposed using a concealed radio earpiece to receive congregants' personal details from his wife, then presenting this information as divine revelation during healing crusades.
Disprovenhealing·United States (touring crusades)
Peter Popoff's Radio Earpiece Fraud
Televangelist Peter Popoff was exposed using a concealed radio earpiece to receive congregants' personal details from his wife, then presenting this information as divine revelation during healing crusades.
4% authentic
Strong natural explanation
Indian spiritual leader Sathya Sai Baba, who claimed to materialize objects from thin air as proof of divinity, was captured on multiple occasions apparently concealing and transferring objects using standard conjuring technique, and refused every request for controlled testing.
Disprovensigns·India (Puttaparthi ashram and public events)
Sathya Sai Baba: Materialization Miracles Exposed as Sleight of Hand on Video
Indian spiritual leader Sathya Sai Baba, who claimed to materialize objects from thin air as proof of divinity, was captured on multiple occasions apparently concealing and transferring objects using standard conjuring technique, and refused every request for controlled testing.
3% authenticStrong natural explanation
Indian guru Sathya Sai Baba (1926–2011) claimed to materialize objects — watches, jewelry, ash, lingams — from thin air before millions of followers, but multiple investigations documented sleight-of-hand, and footage from India's national broadcaster showed an assistant passing him a gold chain before 'materialization.'
Disprovensigns·Puttaparthi, Andhra Pradesh, India; worldwide
Sathya Sai Baba's 'Materializations': Investigated and Exposed
Indian guru Sathya Sai Baba (1926–2011) claimed to materialize objects — watches, jewelry, ash, lingams — from thin air before millions of followers, but multiple investigations documented sleight-of-hand, and footage from India's national broadcaster showed an assistant passing him a gold chain before 'materialization.'
2% authenticStrong natural explanation
In 1762, a supposed haunting at a lodging house on Cock Lane, London -- attributed to the spirit of a murdered woman -- was investigated by a committee including Samuel Johnson and exposed as a fraud perpetrated by a young girl and her father.
Disprovenapparition·Cock Lane, Smithfield, London, England
The Cock Lane Ghost
In 1762, a supposed haunting at a lodging house on Cock Lane, London -- attributed to the spirit of a murdered woman -- was investigated by a committee including Samuel Johnson and exposed as a fraud perpetrated by a young girl and her father.
2% authentic
Strong natural explanation
Faith healer W.V. Grant was exposed by James Randi for faking leg-lengthening healings and using prayer-card cold reading, then convicted by the IRS in 1996 for failing to report $375,000 in taxable income.
Disprovenhealing·United States (Dallas, TX base)
W.V. Grant: Faith Healer Exposed by Randi and Convicted of Tax Fraud
Faith healer W.V. Grant was exposed by James Randi for faking leg-lengthening healings and using prayer-card cold reading, then convicted by the IRS in 1996 for failing to report $375,000 in taxable income.