Hoaxer

A hoaxer is an individual who deliberately perpetrates a deception or a falsehood, often with the intent to mislead or trick others. They create and disseminate elaborate fabrications, which can range from harmless pranks to schemes with significant consequences, such as financial gain or the manipulation of public opinion. The term encompasses anyone who actively engages in the creation and spread of hoaxes, regardless of the medium used, be it written, spoken, or digital. They excel at crafting believable narratives, exploiting human gullibility, and often have a mischievous or malicious streak.

Hoaxer meaning with examples

• The internet was abuzz with news, but it turned out the entire story of alien contact was orchestrated by a skilled hoaxer, preying on people's fascination with extraterrestrial life and desire for exciting news.
• The infamous art critic was revealed as a prolific hoaxer, having created elaborate false accounts and fake artworks in a clever attempt to fool galleries and gain notoriety.
• Detectives tracked down the hoaxer behind a series of bomb threats, discovering they were a disgruntled employee seeking to cause chaos and disrupt the company's operations.
• The financial sector shuddered when a particularly sophisticated hoaxer launched a phishing scheme, duping investors and wiping out millions of dollars from accounts.
• The politician found themselves embroiled in scandal after it was exposed the smear campaign accusing the politician of corruption was the work of a rival political hoaxer.