scammers

phishing

Fraudulent credential harvesting

• identity theftStealing personal data criminally
• pyramid schemeFraud through endless recruitment
• catfishingDeceiving via false identity

spoofing · robocall · bait-and-switch · impersonation · fake invoice · wire fraud · money mule · skimming · vishing · smishing

hoax

Deliberate deception for effect

• shamFraudulent imitation
• forgeryCreating fraudulent imitations
• counterfeitFraudulent imitation

fabrication · misrepresentation · pretense · masquerade · fakery · impersonation · phony · bogus · front · shell company

grifter

Petty fraud perpetrator

• swindlerPerson who deceives for money
• con artistProfessional fraud perpetrator
• fraudsterCriminal deceiver for gain

impostor · charlatan · hustler · flimflammer · trickster · mountebank · confidence man · snake oil salesman · cheat · hoaxer

duped

Deceived into believing

• gullibleEasily deceived
• marksVisible signs or grades
• targetsIntended aims or marks

elderly · vulnerable · deceived · bilked · fleeced · defrauded · swindled · conned · bamboozled · hoodwinked

manipulation

Underhanded control of others

• groomingSelf-care for appearance
• gaslightingManipulation causing self-doubt
• exploitationSelfish use of others

coercion · persuasion · pressure · urgency · fear-mongering · trust-building · isolation · love-bombing · emotional manipulation · preying

• unwanted callsrobocalls, nuisance calls, junk calls, telemarketers, telemarketing
• unwanted contactstelemarketers, cold callers, robocallers, spammers, solicitors
• cybercriminalshacker, hackers, phishers, phisher, fraudster
• deceiversliar, liars, deceiver, fraud, fake
• scamsfraud, frauds, swindle, swindles, con
• digital annoyancesspam, pop-ups, ads, malware, viruses