A friend of mine used to pull that crap. He'd make "original" characters like Joseph, who was clearly a recoloured Samus Aran with a big broadsword (which I later learned was stolen from Battlechasers)
Who are they trying to fool? I know some are intentional parodies but ones that aren't seem to radiate a uniquely low level of lameness.
If I see more posts like this I';; advocate for a "bootlegged character" tag.