Definition

Noun: 1. A swindle in which you cheat at gambling or persuade a person to buy worthless property: A dishonest scheme or trick designed to deceive someone, typically by gaining their trust and then exploiting it for financial gain. It often involves a false story or promise.

Usage

The term "con game" is used to describe a specific type of fraud. It emphasizes the element of deception and manipulation of the victim's confidence. It is often used interchangeably with "confidence game" or "scam."

Examples

• Noun:
  • The elderly man lost his life savings in a sophisticated con game involving fake gold bars.
  • The police warned the public about a new con game where scammers pose as bank officials.
  • He realized too late that the "investment opportunity" was just a con game.

Advanced Usage

• "to run a con game": to operate or execute a fraudulent scheme.
  • The criminals were arrested for running a con game targeting tourists.

Variants and Related Words

• Confidence game (n): The full form of "con game," highlighting the exploitation of the victim's trust or confidence.
• Con (n/v): A shortened, informal form. As a noun: a swindle. As a verb: to swindle someone.
  • He was a master of the con. (Noun)
  • They tried to con her out of her money. (Verb)
• Scam (n/v): A dishonest scheme; a fraud. Very similar in meaning and common in modern usage.
• Swindle (n/v): The act of cheating someone out of money or property.

Synonyms

• Fraud: Wrongful or criminal deception intended to result in financial or personal gain.
• Hustle: A fraud or swindle, especially one involving aggressive persuasion.
• Racket: A dishonest or illegal scheme for obtaining money.

Related Phrases

• Con artist / Con man / Con woman (n): A person who commits fraud by gaining the victim's confidence.
  • The con artist charmed his way into their lives before stealing from them.
• Confidence trick (n): Another term for a confidence game.
  • The so-called psychic was performing a confidence trick on her clients.

Noun

1. a swindle in which you cheat at gambling or persuade a person to buy worthless property