Why does the API return "success" if the device is unplugged?

My tower fan has been unplugged for about 2 weeks now, and the app (correctly) shows it as "Not Connected".

Why does the API return "success" when I call it to power on the device? Obviously there is no way this action can possible succeed.

{
"requestId": "132233",
"msg": "success",
"code": 200,
"capability": {
"type": "devices.capabilities.on_off",
"instance": "powerSwitch",
"state": {
"status": "success"
},
"value": 1
}
}