con-artists
Swindlers by trade
Con-artists are people who deceive others for personal gain, typically through elaborate schemes that exploit trust.
The term combines "confidence" (the trust they cultivate) with "artist" (suggesting skill at deception).
A con-artist might pose as a financial advisor, romantic interest, or authority figure to extract money or valuables: The con-artists convinced dozens of retirees to invest in a fake real estate venture.
Also spelled con artists or conmen.
Petty fraud perpetrator
- swindlerPerson who deceives for money
- fraudsterCriminal deceiver for gain
- hustlerAggressive, unscrupulous earner
- scammerOne who defrauds others
charlatan · impostor · mountebank · flimflam man · confidence man · trickster · cheat · faker
Dishonest money-making scheme
- fraudIntentional criminal trickery
- swindleDeception for financial gain
- hustleEnergetic, aggressive action
- griftSwindle or petty fraud
scheme · ruse · trick · hoax · flimflam · confidence trick · shell game · Ponzi
Visible impression or sign
- victimOne harmed by another
- suckerEasily fooled person
- pigeonStout urban bird
- patsyEasily deceived victim
dupe · easy mark · vulnerable · elderly · lonely · greedy · naive · trusting
Seize by law
- prosecutionPursuing legal charges
- prisonConfinement for offenders
- sentenceComplete thought, grammatically
- restitutionRestoring what was lost
investigation · FBI · Interpol · extradition · trial · conviction · fraud charges · civil suit
Underhanded control of others
- persuasionConvincing through reasoning
- charmAttractive personal quality
- smooth talkFlattery meant to persuade
- misdirectionIntentional focus manipulation
distraction · gaslighting · social engineering · impersonation · disguise · forged documents · fake credentials · cold reading
Swindler's surname, now generic
- Catch Me If You CanTaunt inviting pursuit
- Fyre FestivalFailed luxury concert event
- TheranosDefunct blood-testing company
grifter
Petty fraud perpetrator
- swindlerPerson who deceives for money
- fraudsterCriminal deceiver for gain
- hustlerAggressive, unscrupulous earner
scammer · charlatan · impostor · mountebank · flimflam man · confidence man · trickster · cheat · faker · phony
scam
Dishonest money-making scheme
- fraudIntentional criminal trickery
- swindleDeception for financial gain
- hustleEnergetic, aggressive action
grift · scheme · ruse · trick · hoax · flimflam · confidence trick · shell game · Ponzi · bait and switch
mark
Visible impression or sign
patsy · dupe · easy mark · vulnerable · elderly · lonely · greedy · naive · trusting · desperate
arrest
Seize by law
- prosecutionPursuing legal charges
- prisonConfinement for offenders
- sentenceComplete thought, grammatically
restitution · investigation · FBI · Interpol · extradition · trial · conviction · fraud charges · civil suit · bankruptcy
manipulation
Underhanded control of others
- persuasionConvincing through reasoning
- charmAttractive personal quality
- smooth talkFlattery meant to persuade
misdirection · distraction · gaslighting · social engineering · impersonation · disguise · forged documents · fake credentials · cold reading · rapport building
Ponzi
Swindler's surname, now generic
- Catch Me If You CanTaunt inviting pursuit
- Fyre FestivalFailed luxury concert event
- TheranosDefunct blood-testing company
con-artistsstraight shooters
Forthright, honest individuals
honest brokers · truth-tellers · philanthropists · altruists
con-artistsmarks
Visible signs or grades
victims · dupes · suckers · patsies · easy marks
con-artistsfraud investigators
Professionals who expose deception
whistleblowers · protectors · FBI agents · prosecutors · fraud squad
con, artist, con-artist, cons, artists, art, arts, artful, artfully