charlatan
Fake skills peddler
A charlatan is someone who pretends to be something they are not, usually in order to gain an advantage: He was a charlatan who pretended to be a doctor in order to make money.
A religious charlatan is someone who appears to be quite devout while secretly engaging in activities that are forbidden.
The verb most likely to precede charlatan is expose, which should perhaps be a warning to anyone who is tempted to become one!
Fraudulent cure-all
- pseudoscienceBogus methodology posing as factual
- nostrumUnproven pet remedy
- elixirMythical healing draught
- panaceaUniversal cure
cure-all · placebo · hocus-pocus · humbug · quack · witchdoctor · faith healer · miracle cure
Illegitimate claimant to power
- fakerOne who pretends
- imposterOne feigning identity
- masqueraderOne in disguise
- fraudIntentional criminal trickery
phony · wolf in sheep's clothing · poser · con artist · scam artist · deceiver · sham · hoaxer
Deliberate deception for effect
- bamboozleDeceive through cunning
- hoodwinkTrick into false belief
- dupeDeceive or victim
- misleadCause false belief
swindle · con · scam · fraud · ruse · subterfuge · chicanery · duplicity
Deceptive outward appearance
- veneerDecorative outer layer
- masqueradeDeceptive act or costume party
- shamFraudulent imitation
- counterfeitFraudulent imitation
bogus · spurious · fake · false front · affectation · act · charade · posturing
snake oil
Fraudulent cure-all
- pseudoscienceBogus methodology posing as factual
- nostrumUnproven pet remedy
- elixirMythical healing draught
panacea · cure-all · placebo · hocus-pocus · humbug · quack · witchdoctor · faith healer · miracle cure · patent medicine
pretender
Illegitimate claimant to power
- fakerOne who pretends
- imposterOne feigning identity
- masqueraderOne in disguise
fraud · phony · wolf in sheep's clothing · poser · con artist · scam artist · deceiver · sham · hoaxer · bluffer
hoax
Deliberate deception for effect
mislead · swindle · con · scam · fraud · ruse · subterfuge · chicanery · duplicity · artifice
facade
Deceptive outward appearance
- veneerDecorative outer layer
- masqueradeDeceptive act or costume party
- shamFraudulent imitation
counterfeit · bogus · spurious · fake · false front · affectation · act · charade · posturing · simulation
charlatanexpert
Highly skilled practitioner
master · authority · virtuoso · professional · maestro
charlatantruth-teller
One who speaks accurately
genuine article · straight shooter · honest broker · authentic · man of his word