The definition of an email hoax is a scam or trick in an email message such a warning of a non-existent threat or a request for personal information.
(noun)
- An example of an email hoax is when you get an email saying that you will lose all your files unless you click on link in an email which, unknown to you, will cause your computer to be exposed to a computer virus.
- An example of an email hoax is when you get an e-mail promising that you'll be sent $1,000,000 from the ambassador of some distant foreign country if you will just provide your bank information so that the money can be sent to your account.