Crossword puzzle clue "pious frauds"

PHARISEE, a hypocritically self-righteous person

ARSON, the malicious or fraudulent burning of property

DECEIT, falseness

FAKE, to contrive and present as genuine

HOAX, to deceive

IMPOSTURE, a fraud, the act of an impostor

MOUNTEBANK, a person who sells quack medicines from a platform; a charlatan