scam

(skăm) Informal

A fraudulent business scheme; a swindle.

tr.v. scammed, scam·ming, scams

To defraud; swindle.

[Origin unknown.]

scam′mer n.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

scammer

(ˈskæmə) or

scamster

slang a person who perpetrates a scam; swindler

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:

Noun

scammer - a person who swindles you by means of deception or fraud

chiseler, chiseller, defrauder, grifter, swindler, gouger

card shark, card sharp, card sharper, cardsharp, cardsharper, sharper, sharpie, sharpy - a professional card player who makes a living by cheating at card games

clip artist - a swindler who fleeces the victim

con artist, con man, confidence man - a swindler who exploits the confidence of his victim

beguiler, cheater, deceiver, trickster, slicker, cheat - someone who leads you to believe something that is not true

welcher, welsher - someone who swindles you by not repaying a debt or wager

Mentioned in

References in periodicals archive

Traditional 'slam on' accidents Where the scammer's vehicle in front intentionally slams on the brakes so that the driver behind cannot avoid a rear end shunt.

GILLIAN CARMAN, account executive at [...]

'The common typical scam involves a scammer who claims to have some influence over visa processes or visa service that the US Embassy provides,' Gendin said.

US Embassy to public: Beware of online visa, job scams

In other cases, the scammer will persuade the victim to download a computer program that gives the scammer access to the victim's data.

Beware of scammers posing as computer repair workers

When a person contacts the scammer on the provided phone number, he/she sends a list of available alcohol along with prices.

Booze-delivery scams found running through Google Maps in India

Out of fear, they call back or dial one, and the next step is that the scammer takes over their computer.

Mega-cyber con networks operating out of India

'If a victim gets a phone call believed from a scammer who asks for his identity card number, immediately report to the police because we are afraid that the identity card number given to the scammer will be used irresponsibly in his (scammer's) interests,' he said.

MACC will not seek personal details via telephone

But it can take just three words to start you off on a spiral that could leave it all in the hands of a scammer.

The three words that will cost you your life savings - and how to spot the warning signs; The government is dragging its feet over a clampdown on these cold calls which are leading to people losing their pension pots

Mr Vernon was ordered not to tell anyone what he was doing and to stay on the phone at all times by the scammer who posed as a "UK tax official".

The HMRC scam that's conned one man out of [pounds sterling]1,000; Scammers tell their victims to pay up or face being arrested

When she confronted the scammer, he told her he'd Skype her later to prove that he was who he said he was.

'MY PHOTOS WERE STOLEN - TO CON WOMEN LOOKING FOR LOVE' For Steve Bustin, 46, sharing his life on social media had a dark outcome - his stolen pictures have been used many times as part of an international dating scam

Or, just when the victim thinks they have met the perfect partner the scammer asks them for money.

Warning over key scams predicted to rise in 2018

Patty Jo Angelini, spokeswoman for the Emerald People's Utility District, said one customers lost $1,200 after complying with a scammer's instructions and buying a prepaid credit card.

Scammers try to bilk local utility customers [br][br]