A) The perpetrator has overwhelming faith in a pet theory and feels an urgency to proselytize by deception. B) The perpetrator is incompetent and desires peer respect. C) The perpetrator is not a scientist and finds pleasure in hoodwinking those who take themselves too seriously. D) The perpetrator is afraid of Pascal's wager. E) All of the above!
I know, but it is always enjoyable watching them follow the above steps.