scam

[skam]

noun

1. a confidence game or other fraudulent scheme, especially for making a quick profit; swindle.

verb (used with object)

scammed, scamming 

1. to cheat or defraud with a scam.

scam

/ skæm /

noun

1. a stratagem for gain; a swindle

verb

1. (tr) to swindle (someone) by means of a trick

Other Word Forms

• scammer noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of scam¹

1960–65; originally carnival argot; of obscure origin

Example Sentences

While there are safeguards, anyone from a well-meaning loved one to a malicious scam artist can create fake versions of you that would have been inconceivable a few years ago.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

While emigration businesses promise much, the sector is "riddled with scams", acknowledged Ghislain Ngongang, a consultant who helps clients obtain visas for Canada and France.

Read more on Barron's

At the U.N. on Tuesday he said, “Windmills are pathetic” and warned countries that “if you don’t get away from the green-energy scam, your country is going to fail.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

For the next month, messages from customers mistaking Ms Newman's business for a scam were "continuous" as they commented on social media, emailed and called her.

Read more on BBC

This followed criticism by investors and lawmakers that such listings had become breeding grounds for scams and manipulation.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• blackmail 
• deceit 
• deception 
• extortion 
• fraud 
• hoax 
• racket 
• ripoff 
• shakedown 
• sham 

When To Use

What does scam mean?

A scam is a deceptive scheme or trick used to cheat someone out of something, especially money.Scam is also a verb meaning to cheat someone in such a way.Example: Banks will never call you asking for your credit card number or social security number over the phone. If someone calls and asks for information like that, it’s a scam.