I’ve heard this before somewhere…

simulacrum \sim-yuh-LAY-krum; -LAK-rum\, noun;
plural simulacra \sim-yuh-LAY-kruh; -LAK-ruh\:
1. An image; a representation.
2. An insubstantial, superficial, or vague likeness or semblance.

simulacrum – A representation, or an unreal or vague likeness. The plural is simulacra. Also see analogy, appropriation, copy, counterfeit, ersatz, facsimile, fake, forgery, metaphor, mirror, paint-by-number, and replica, reproduction, simile, simulacrum, and simulation.

NOUN: Something closely resembling another: carbon copy, copy, duplicate, facsimile, image, likeness, reduplication, replica, replication, reproduction. Archaic : simulacre. Law : counterpart. See SAME.

sim·u·la·crum (smy-lkrm, -lkrm)
n. pl. sim·u·la·cra (-lkr, -lkr)
1. An image or representation.
2. An unreal or vague semblance.

This word, I find fascinating. So many people and things have been accused of being this. So many times one has wondered, was it this, or was it real? A couple of things have been named this. I like simulicrum