hoax
verb [ T ]
uk/həʊks/ usto deceive someone, especially by playing a trick on them:
A fake website was set up and a number of people were hoaxed.
See also
swindle
hoax
noun [ C ]
uk/həʊks/ usa trick or something else that is intended to deceive someone:
A hoax led thousands to donate to a fake charity.
a cruel/elaborate hoax
See also
fraud
Ponzi scheme
swindle