Crossword Genius

Elaborate ruse (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

hoax

'elaborate ruse' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

This is the entire clue.

(Other definitions for hoax that I've seen before include "Humorous or malicious deception" , "Playful fraud" , "Act of deception" , "Kid" , "Deception such as the Piltdown Man" .)

I've seen this clue in the Universal and the USA Today.
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