An idiomatic term that describes something (object, act, idea, etc.) as  unreal, false, fraudulent or not truly disclosed in a specific manner. For example, one may say: “this banknote is not real (i.e., it is fake), it’s a milli vanilli”.

In marketing, the term denotes a blatant/ fraudulent marketing scam or stunt, etc.

Milli vanilli (or milli vanilli concert) may also conjure up the derisive image of the dance-pop duo (Milli- Vanilli) whose career came to a sudden and shameful end: totally ruined and impoverished.