The piltdown man was not perpetrated by scientists, but was discovered to be a hoax by scientists. It was never accepted by scientists outside of Britain. Why? Because it didn't fit in with the other transitional fossils they already had.
Interesting to note that none of the other fossil finds found since then are hoaxes.
Sahelanthropus tchadensis
Orrorin tugenensis
Ardipithecus ramidus
Australopithecus anamensis
Australopithecus afarensis
Kenyanthropus platyops
Australopithecus africanus
Australopithecus garhi
Australopithecus aethiopicus
Australopithecus robustus
Australopithecus boisei
Homo habilis
Homo georgicus
Homo erectus
Homo ergaster
Homo antecessor
Homo heidelbergensis
Homo neanderthalensis
Have I made my point?
"There are many other examples. Read "Godless"; might learn something"
Like learning she repeats false statements without first verifying their validity?