amuser

plural amusers

1. Someone who amuses.
2. obsoleteOne who diverts attention, usually to distract or bewilder, often for fraudulent purposes; hence a cheat, deceiver or thief.
3. historicalearly 19ᵗʰ centuryOne of a class of rogues who carry snuff or dust in their pockets, which they throw into the eyes of people so as to enable their accomplices to rob them while pretending to help them.

   BOSS TWEED — No one important, necessarily. Average men will do. Back alley amusers with no affiliations.

   2002, various authors, Gangs of New York (film), Miramax Films, Entertainment Film Distributors

   2 more examples

   He should have knowed better than to tangle with you, Miss Lindsay. Where did you learn to be an amuser, then?

   1993, Stella Cameron, Only by Your Touch, HarperCollins, page 88

   Valentine watches the bunch of amusers close around the politician, the leader already dipping into his pocket for the snuff to fling into the eyes of their victim.

   2013, Michelle Lovric, The Remedy, Bloomsbury, page 59