A British "email prankster" reportedly tricked a number of White House officials, including Anthony Scaramucci and the president's point person on cyber security.

The individual, who describes himself as a "lazy anarchist" on Twitter, posed as recently fired chief of staff Reince Priebus when he emailed Mr Scaramucci, days after the new White House director of communication had lambasted Mr Priebus in a foul-mouthed tirade to a reporter.

Using a mail.com account, he messaged Mr Scaramucci on Saturday, CNN reported, the day after Mr Priebus's departure.

"I had promised myself I would leave my hands mud free," wrote the fake Mr Priebus, who shared the correspondence with the US broadcaster.

"But after reading your tweet today which stated how; 'soon we will learn who in the media who has class, and who hasn't', has pushed me to this.