He used oldest trick in the book

Definition of prank (Entry 2 of 3)
1transitive : to play a trick or prank on (someone)
… you feel shock, dismay, then anger as it dawns on you that you've been pranked …
— Lucius Shepard
On the day of the ceremony, a stuntwoman pal, dressed to look like Swanson, kicked things off by pranking the audience and falling down a flight of stairs. (The crowd went from gasping to laughing once the ruse was revealed.)
— Lorenzo Benet
2intransitive, obsolete : to play tricks or pranks
prank verb (2)
pranked; pranking; pranks
Definition of prank (Entry 3 of 3)
intransitive verb