con game

Definitions

A swindle or confidence trick in which a victim is defrauded after being persuaded to trust the perpetrator.

Any deceptive scheme or maneuver intended to manipulate or exploit someone for personal gain.

Examples

The smooth-talking salesman was running a classic con game to trick elderly residents into buying worthless insurance policies.

She realized too late that the investment opportunity was nothing more than a sophisticated con game designed to steal her savings.

Synonyms

swindle scam fraud racket confidence trick shakedown deception

Antonyms

honesty truthfulness fair dealing transparency sincerity integrity legitimate business