con-artist
Scam scheme operator
A con artist is someone who swindles others through deception, gaining trust before exploiting it for money or advantage.
The term comes from "confidence"—the con artist's essential tool.
Con artists run scams ranging from street hustles to elaborate financial frauds: The con artist convinced elderly victims to wire their savings.
Also spelled con man or conman.
One feigning another's identity
- charlatanFaker claiming false expertise
- swindlerPerson who deceives for money
- grifterPetty fraud perpetrator
- scammerOne who defrauds others
hoaxer · trickster · faker · fraudster · mountebank · quack · shyster · flimflammer
Dishonest money-making scheme
- hoaxDeliberate deception for effect
- swindleDeception for financial gain
- fraudIntentional criminal trickery
- hustleEnergetic, aggressive action
racket · grift · flimflam · bunco · shell game · Ponzi scheme · pyramid scheme · phishing
Intentional misleading of others
- manipulationUnderhanded control of others
- subterfugeDeliberate deception to conceal
- trickeryDeliberate deception or fraud
- chicaneryDeception through clever manipulation
dupery · feint · pretense · misdirection · sleight · bait-and-switch · gaslighting · love-bombing
Sly, scheming cleverness
- guileSly, strategic dishonesty
- slynessCunning in manner
- craftinessShrewd, devious cleverness
- deviousnessSneaky, underhanded quality
wiliness · shrewdness · charm · charisma · audacity · boldness · glib · smooth-talking
impostor
One feigning another's identity
- charlatanFaker claiming false expertise
- swindlerPerson who deceives for money
- grifterPetty fraud perpetrator
scammer · hoaxer · trickster · faker · fraudster · mountebank · quack · shyster · flimflammer · hustler
scam
Dishonest money-making scheme
- hoaxDeliberate deception for effect
- swindleDeception for financial gain
- fraudIntentional criminal trickery
hustle · racket · grift · flimflam · bunco · shell game · Ponzi scheme · pyramid scheme · phishing · catfishing
deception
Intentional misleading of others
- manipulationUnderhanded control of others
- subterfugeDeliberate deception to conceal
- trickeryDeliberate deception or fraud
chicanery · dupery · feint · pretense · misdirection · sleight · bait-and-switch · gaslighting · love-bombing · social engineering
cunning
Sly, scheming cleverness
- guileSly, strategic dishonesty
- slynessCunning in manner
- craftinessShrewd, devious cleverness
deviousness · wiliness · shrewdness · charm · charisma · audacity · boldness · glib · smooth-talking · manipulative
mark
Visible impression or sign
pigeon · patsy · gull · easy mark · rube · fall guy · stooge · vulnerable · elderly · lonely
con-artiststraight shooter
Forthright, blunt person
honest broker · truth-teller · man of his word · truthful · honest
con-artistbenefactor
One who gives aid
protector · Good Samaritan · philanthropist · guardian · altruist
con-artistpickpocket
Thief who steals carried items
mugger · armed robber · burglar · thief · carjacker
artist, con, confidence, artistic, artistry, artisan, confide, confidential, artifice