hoax

a deception spread widely online

a deceptive message spread through email

a false report of a bomb being placed somewhere

a false warning about a non-existent computer virus

a cleverly planned and detailed deception

a deception that causes emotional pain or suffering

an email that is intended to deceive people

a deceptive phone call, especially one made to the emergency services

a person who makes a deceptive phone call

a physical letter that is intended to deceive people

to be deceived by a hoax; to believe a hoax is real

to reveal that something is a hoax

to commit or carry out a hoax (formal)