confidence man
Trust-exploiting criminal
A confidence man is a swindler who gains victims' trust before defrauding them.
The con man befriends his mark, establishes credibility, then exploits that manufactured confidence for money or valuables.
The term dates to nineteenth-century America: The confidence man had convinced her he was a stockbroker before disappearing with her savings.
Also shortened to con man.
Professional fraud perpetrator
- grifterPetty fraud perpetrator
- swindlerPerson who deceives for money
- scammerOne who defrauds others
- hustlerAggressive, unscrupulous earner
fraudster · impostor · charlatan · trickster · flimflammer · cheat · mountebank · shark
Argument against
- scamDishonest money-making scheme
- swindleDeception for financial gain
- hustleEnergetic, aggressive action
- racketUproar, scam, or paddle
flimflam · bunco · sting · shell game · Ponzi scheme · long con · short con · grift
Intentional misleading of others
- manipulationUnderhanded control of others
- persuasionConvincing through reasoning
- charmAttractive personal quality
- misdirectionIntentional focus manipulation
pretense · fast talk · smooth talk · gaslighting · grooming · exploitation · false credentials · bait and switch
con artist
Professional fraud perpetrator
hustler · fraudster · impostor · charlatan · trickster · flimflammer · cheat · mountebank · shark · sharpie
con
Argument against
- scamDishonest money-making scheme
- swindleDeception for financial gain
- hustleEnergetic, aggressive action
racket · flimflam · bunco · sting · shell game · Ponzi scheme · long con · short con · grift · fraud
deception
Intentional misleading of others
- manipulationUnderhanded control of others
- persuasionConvincing through reasoning
- charmAttractive personal quality
misdirection · pretense · fast talk · smooth talk · gaslighting · grooming · exploitation · false credentials · bait and switch · sob story
mark
Visible impression or sign
target · patsy · easy mark · gull · chump · fall guy · rube · victim · prey
- deceiversliar, liars, deceiver, fraud, fake
- swindlerscon artist, swindler, fraudster, scammer, grifter
- hustlershustler, hustlers, street hustler, con artist, grifter
confidence manhonest broker
Impartial third-party negotiator
straight shooter · truth-teller · straight arrow · honest John · philanthropist
confidence manburglar
One who breaks in
armed robber · mugger · thief · holdup man · home invader
confidence, confident, confide, confidential, confidant, confidence men, unconfident, confiding, overconfidence