It would appear that this kind of thing is actually not that unusual.
I had a phone call from a young flight instructor a few months ago seeking advice. Apparently a guy had arrived in an R44 seeking flight instruction. When asked for his medical/student pilot certificate he replied that he didn't possess one. He had learned to fly helicopters by strapping a 5 bar gate to the skids of an R22 and reading some books.
When I suggested that the first thing they do was to go and get a student pilot certificate it was discovered that it was not possible as the guy had lied on a previous application about not having any drunk driving offences. He used to possess a medical, but had had it revoked by the FAA.
I then recommended that the instructor politely tell the guy that he was unable to help him.
This was a good ol' Texas rancher.