The Illusion of Legitimacy: How Fraudulent Martial Arts Instructors Use Self-Published Books to Fabricate Credentials

When it comes to fake instructors in the martial arts they do everything they can to convince people that they are legitimate even write books  to attain validation. However this doesn't work. A lie is a lie regardless of the platform or how many times they repeat it. 

Make no mistake, from claiming to be devout christians to slandering and defaming legitimate instructors, these shit stains try every trick in the book. 

This article examines the growing trend of fraudulent martial arts instructors attempting to establish credibility through self-published books and unverified written claims. While the publication of books may appear to lend legitimacy, such material often serves as a vehicle for promoting false lineages, inflated ranks, fabricated accomplishments, and unverifiable historical narratives.

Serious martial arts practitioners and recognized governing bodies continue to dismiss these works as superficial attempts to create pseudo-authority rather than provide factual, corroborated information.

I. Background and Context

The martial arts world has long been susceptible to misinformation, exaggerated claims, and individuals seeking unearned authority. Because the general public lacks the knowledge to verify lineage, rank, or technical legitimacy, fraudulent instructors often rely on appearances—uniforms, patches, certificates, and more recently, self-published books.

Advances in digital publishing have made it easier than ever for individuals to produce professional-looking books without any oversight, peer review, or fact-checking. This accessibility has been exploited by fraudulent instructors to create the illusion of expertise where none exists.

II. The Myth of Validation Through Publication

A fake martial arts instructor who publishes books does not legitimize or validate their fraudulent claims. Books authored by such individuals are often used as tools to propagate unverifiable or disproven lineages, inflated credentials, and fabricated histories without independent verification, credible documentation, or corroborative evidence from recognized martial arts organizations.

Publishing does not replace the need for authentic proof such as traditional training records, validated ranks, recognized competition achievements, or verification from established martial arts bodies. Such books can mislead but are generally dismissed by the serious martial arts community as attempts to create false legitimacy rather than provide factual history.

III. Common Tactics Used in Fraudulent Publications

1. Invented or Disproven Lineages

Many fraudulent instructors attempt to connect themselves to well-known historical masters, deceased teachers, or obscure foreign “grandmasters” who cannot confirm or deny the claim. Their books typically offer no archival documents, recognized training logs any contemporary witnesses and no recognition from established lineages.  Instead, they rely on unverifiable “personal stories” presented as factual accounts.

2. Inflated Rank Claims

Fraudulent authors frequently assert high dan or positional rankings they never earned. Ranks awarded without examinations or actual formal training. Their books often repeat their false claims as if repetition itself establishes truth.

3. Fabricated Martial Arts Systems

Some authors create brand-new  styles based in “traditional” or “ancient ” styles with no historical foundation, no previous instructors, no documented curriculum and no external recognition. The publication becomes the only evidence the system exists.

IV. Why Books Do Not Replace Verification

Unlike academic publishing, martial arts books produced by frauds are not fact checked,  and not vetted by experts. They often contradict known historical timelines and include unverifiable testimonies. Interviews with established masters, historians, and organizational leaders reveal consistent agreement: Books alone are never evidence of martial legitimacy. Lineage and rank must always be independently verified. Fraudulent instructors rely on publications because they lack verifiable credentials. Serious practitioners dismiss such works as self-promotional fabrications. The consensus is clear: publishing is not proof. Unless supported by independent evidence, assume the publication is not authoritative.

The publication of books by fraudulent martial arts instructors is a growing tactic used to create a façade of expertise and legitimacy. The martial arts community continues to rely on evidence, accountability, and transparency—not self-authored narratives devoid of corroboration. As long as fraudulent instructors attempt to elevate themselves through publications rather than proof, their works will remain tools of deception rather than contributions to martial arts history.

A fraudulent instructor’s book can be used as evidence against him in a legal proceeding and in many cases, it is extremely damaging evidence.

Below is a clear, legally accurate explanation of how and why such a book is admissible, and what it can be used to prove. It is treated as:

1. A written admission of the claims the fake instructor made

2. Evidence of possible fraud, deception, or misrepresentation

3. A record of statements that can be proven false

4. Material used to impeach his credibility

A book does not make the false histories and claims true, but it does preserve the false claims in the instructor’s own words, which can be used legally against him.

Why the Book Is Admissible as Evidence

1. It is considered a “statement of a party-opponent.” Under the Federal Rules of Evidence (FRE 801(d)(2)), a person’s own written statements are not hearsay when used against them in litigation.

This means that the “instructor” cannot claim his own book is hearsay. The statements in the book can be used to show what he said, claimed, or represented. So the book is admissible to prove that he made the false claims.

2. It can be used to prove fraud, misrepresentation, or deceptive trade practices.

A fraudulent instructor’s book can demonstrate that he falsely claimed ranks he never earned, invented lineages or credentials and advertised skills or qualifications he did not possess. He knowingly misled students for financial gain. These are key elements in cases involving:

Fraud, Consumer protection violations, false advertising, negligent misrepresentation business deception and even criminal fraud (in severe cases).

3. It is used as evidence of his intent to deceive

Courts look closely at whether deception was deliberate. A book that systematically presents false information, shows planning and shows motive. It clearly an indicator of attempts to establish false legitimacy and an ongoing pattern of deceptive behavior. This is highly relevant in civil and criminal cases.

The book is not recognized as authoritative credential documentation nor is it “proof” the instructor actually holds the ranks he claimed, that his lineage is real. Nor is it proof of authority, skill, or legitimacy

In litigation, a fraudulent instructor’s book can be used as powerful evidence against him. It show’s the false statements he published. It demonstrate his pattern of fraud and establishes his intent to deceive

A book does not validate fraudulent rank claims, it can absolutely expose them.