hoaxer

This term describes an individual who intentionally orchestrates a deception, often on a large scale, to trick a group of people or the public. While it shares a similar meaning with "liar," a hoaxer is specifically associated with the creation of a complex scenario, a fake artifact, or a fabricated event rather than a simple verbal falsehood.

Depending on the context, the word can carry a playful or mischievous connotation, such as in the case of a harmless April Fools' prank. However, in legal or journalistic contexts, it often implies a malicious intent to cause panic, financial loss, or reputational damage, aligning it more closely with "fraudster" or "imposter."