Definition

Noun: - A type of fraud: A "confidence game" is a swindle in which the perpetrator first gains the victim's trust or confidence. This established trust is then exploited to cheat the victim, typically by persuading them to hand over money or valuables based on false promises or rigged situations.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The elderly couple lost their savings in a sophisticated confidence game involving fake gold bars.
  • The police warned the public about a new confidence game where scammers pose as bank officials.
  • He realized too late that the "investment opportunity" was nothing but a confidence game.

Advanced Usage

• "To run a confidence game on someone": To execute a scam against a specific person or group.
  • The grifter was known for running elaborate confidence games on wealthy tourists.

Variants and Related Words

• Confidence trick (noun, chiefly British): A synonym for "confidence game."
  • The documentary explored the history of famous confidence tricks.
• Con game (noun, informal): A shortened, informal form of "confidence game."
  • It was an old-fashioned con game, but surprisingly effective.
• Con artist / Con man (noun): A person who perpetrates a confidence game.
  • The con artist was charming and very persuasive.

Synonyms

• Swindle: A fraudulent scheme or action.
• Scam: A dishonest scheme; a fraud.
• Fraud: Wrongful or criminal deception intended to result in financial or personal gain.
• Bunco / Bunko (noun, informal, chiefly US): A swindle or confidence game.

Related Phrases

• "To gain someone's confidence": To earn a person's trust, often as a precursor to a scam.
  • The first step in the scheme was to gain the investor's confidence.

Noun

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