An interesting look back at the hoax. Do you remember this?
I will be honest, I don't. I think at the time, I was too young to get rapped up in rumors like this and didn't know anyone else who was into Dragon Ball at the time. I just enjoyed the series by myself. Had I been more active in online communities back then, I am sure I probably would have fallen for this. lol I have seen the images since and just never thought anything of it, beyond it being fan art.
You can read a bit of information on it here: https://dragonball.fandom.com/wiki/Dragon_Ball_AF