scammer
Fraud scheme operator
A scammer is someone who deceives others for profit, typically through fraudulent schemes.
The term covers everything from email phishers to con artists running elaborate hustles: The scammer posed as a Nigerian prince, Don't give your credit card to phone scammers.
Unlike older words like swindler or grifter, scammer emerged with internet-age fraud and carries a more casual, contemporary tone.
Criminal deceiver for gain
- grifterPetty fraud perpetrator
- con artistProfessional fraud perpetrator
- swindlerPerson who deceives for money
- charlatanFaker claiming false expertise
impostor · trickster · deceiver · cheat · hustler · flimflammer · conman · shyster
Intentional misleading of others
- manipulationUnderhanded control of others
- liesDeliberate untruths
- pretenseDeceptive outward show
- trickeryDeliberate deception or fraud
subterfuge · misrepresentation · false promises · fabrication · impersonation · social engineering · pressure tactics · urgency
Fraudulent credential harvesting
- pyramid schemeFraud through endless recruitment
- Ponzi schemeFraudulent returns from newcomers
- identity theftStealing personal data criminally
- catfishingDeceiving via false identity
wire fraud · check fraud · investment fraud · insurance fraud · Medicare fraud · impersonation · bait-and-switch · shell game
One harmed by another
patsy · target · prey · gullible · vulnerable · elderly · trusting · naive
Intentional criminal trickery
- embezzlementFraudulent taking of entrusted assets
- forgeryCreating fraudulent imitations
- counterfeitingMaking fake money
- money launderingDisguising criminal proceeds' origins
extortion · theft · larceny · racketeering · cybercrime · wire fraud · mail fraud · tax evasion
Fraudulent credential harvesting
- malwareHarmful computer programs
- ransomwareHostage-taking code
- spywareHidden surveillance program
- hackerUnauthorized system accessor
cybercriminal · spammer · bot · fake website · spoofed email · data breach · dark web · cryptocurrency
fraudster
Criminal deceiver for gain
- grifterPetty fraud perpetrator
- con artistProfessional fraud perpetrator
- swindlerPerson who deceives for money
charlatan · impostor · trickster · deceiver · cheat · hustler · flimflammer · conman · shyster · confidence man
deception
Intentional misleading of others
- manipulationUnderhanded control of others
- liesDeliberate untruths
- pretenseDeceptive outward show
trickery · subterfuge · misrepresentation · false promises · fabrication · impersonation · social engineering · pressure tactics · urgency · fearmongering
phishing
Fraudulent credential harvesting
- pyramid schemeFraud through endless recruitment
- Ponzi schemeFraudulent returns from newcomers
- identity theftStealing personal data criminally
catfishing · wire fraud · check fraud · investment fraud · insurance fraud · Medicare fraud · impersonation · bait-and-switch · shell game · three-card monte
victim
One harmed by another
pigeon · patsy · target · prey · gullible · vulnerable · elderly · trusting · naive · unsuspecting
fraud
Intentional criminal trickery
- embezzlementFraudulent taking of entrusted assets
- forgeryCreating fraudulent imitations
- counterfeitingMaking fake money
money laundering · extortion · theft · larceny · racketeering · cybercrime · wire fraud · mail fraud · tax evasion · securities fraud
phishing
Fraudulent credential harvesting
- malwareHarmful computer programs
- ransomwareHostage-taking code
- spywareHidden surveillance program
hacker · cybercriminal · spammer · bot · fake website · spoofed email · data breach · dark web · cryptocurrency · burner phone
- swindlerscon artist, swindler, fraudster, grifter, charlatan
- cybercriminalshacker, hackers, phishers, phisher, fraudster
- schemersschemer, manipulator, conniver, plotter, intriguer
- deceptionlie, lies, lying, fake, fraud
- cheaterscheat, cheater, con artist, swindler, deceiver
- Crookscrook, swindler, fraudster, embezzler, con artist
scammerphilanthropist
Donor to charitable causes
benefactor · Good Samaritan · altruist · humanitarian · giver
- internet scammerOnline fraud perpetrator
- email scammerOnline fraud perpetrator
- tech support scammerCrook faking IT help
- romance scammersFraudsters feigning affection online
- crypto scammerBlockchain fraud perpetrator
- Nigerian prince scammerEmail inheritance fraud artist