machinations - Crafty schemes or plots, especially intended to achieve something deceitful or underhanded; secret or complicated plans, often with a negative or manipulative goal.
The villain's machinations were finally exposed, revealing his plan to transfer other people's money into his own account.
farce - A deceptive action that someone tries to fool others into believing that he takes it seriously
Everyone in town knew that a bridge at the busy intersection was needed, but they felt that all the Mayor's activity about the subject was just a farce because he didn't really take the problem seriously.