scamster
Fraudulent scheme operator
A scamster is someone who runs scams—a swindler or con artist.
The word adds the informal -ster suffix to scam, giving it a slightly jaunty, almost admiring tone: The scamster convinced retirees to invest in fake bonds.
It's less formal than fraudster and more specific than crook.
Professional fraud perpetrator
- grifterPetty fraud perpetrator
- fraudsterCriminal deceiver for gain
- cheatAct dishonestly to win
- tricksterCunning deceiver in myth
flimflammer · bilker · shark · sharpie · hustler · crook · racketeer · confidence man
One who pretends
- phonyFraudulent person or thing
- pretenderIllegitimate claimant to power
- masqueraderOne in disguise
- shamFraudulent imitation
quack · mountebank · fraud · poseur · humbug · four-flusher · wolf in sheep's clothing · fake
Deception for financial gain
- hoaxDeliberate deception for effect
- con gameFraudulent scheme for profit
- phishingFraudulent credential harvesting
- flimflamDeceptive scheme or nonsense
grift · hustle · racket · bunco · shell game · Ponzi scheme · pyramid scheme · fraud
Machinator or diagram machine
- manipulatorOne who controls cunningly
- intriguerOne who schemes secretly
- conspiratorOne planning in secret
- mastermindScheme's chief planner
operator · conniver · wheeler-dealer · fixer · slyboots · calculating · devious · cunning
con artist
Professional fraud perpetrator
trickster · flimflammer · bilker · shark · sharpie · hustler · crook · racketeer · confidence man · swindler
faker
One who pretends
- phonyFraudulent person or thing
- pretenderIllegitimate claimant to power
- masqueraderOne in disguise
sham · quack · mountebank · fraud · poseur · humbug · four-flusher · wolf in sheep's clothing · fake · bluffer
swindle
Deception for financial gain
- hoaxDeliberate deception for effect
- con gameFraudulent scheme for profit
- phishingFraudulent credential harvesting
flimflam · grift · hustle · racket · bunco · shell game · Ponzi scheme · pyramid scheme · fraud · confidence trick
plotter
Machinator or diagram machine
- manipulatorOne who controls cunningly
- intriguerOne who schemes secretly
- conspiratorOne planning in secret
mastermind · operator · conniver · wheeler-dealer · fixer · slyboots · calculating · devious · cunning · wily
scamsterhonest broker
Impartial third-party negotiator
straight shooter · straight arrow · truth-teller · philanthropist · benefactor
scamsterphilanthropist
Donor to charitable causes
benefactor · altruist · saint · do-gooder · humanitarian