Scam: meaning, definitions and examples

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scam

[skæm ]

Definition

^{Context #1 | Noun}

online fraud

A dishonest scheme or fraud typically carried out for personal gain, often through deceptive means such as phishing emails or fake websites.

Synonyms

deception, fraud, swindle.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
scam	Use when referring to a scheme or trick designed to cheat people, often used informally. He fell for an online scam and lost a lot of money The email was obviously a scam
fraud	Use in legal or formal contexts to describe a deliberate act of deceit intended to result in financial or personal gain. He was charged with bank fraud Insurance fraud is a serious crime
swindle	Use when describing a fraudulent scheme or act, especially one involving clever tricks or lies, can be used both formally and informally. They were swindled out of their life savings The swindle was cleverly executed
deception	Use when describing the act of deceiving someone, often in a more general sense and can be used formally. Her deception was eventually uncovered The magician's performance relied heavily on deception

Examples of usage

Be careful with emails asking for your personal information, it could be a scam.
If it sounds too good to be true, it's probably a scam.
The elderly are often targeted by phone scams.
Many people have fallen victim to online scams.
She lost all her savings in an investment scam.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word 'scam' is believed to have originated from the 1920s slang, combining 'scam' with 'scheme,' meaning an often dishonest plot.
It was widely used to describe fraudulent activities in the 1970s, becoming popular in discussions around crime and deception.

Psychology

Victims of scams may experience feelings of shame and embarrassment, which can prevent them from reporting the crime.
Scam artists often exploit emotions such as fear or greed to manipulate victims into making hasty decisions.

Technology

With the rise of the internet, phishing scams have become prevalent, tricking people into revealing personal information via fake emails.
Social media platforms have created new avenues for scams, where users may encounter fake profiles and misleading advertisements.

Pop Culture

Movies and TV shows often dramatize scams, portraying clever con artists and their intricate schemes, capturing audience fascination.
The 2003 film 'Catch Me If You Can' showcases the life of a real-life con artist, highlighting the allure and consequences of deception.

Legislation

To combat scams, many countries have implemented laws that target fraudsters, including stricter penalties for financial crimes.
Consumer protection agencies actively work to educate the public about common scams and the importance of vigilance.

Translations

Translations of the word "scam" in other languages:

🇵🇹 golpe

🇮🇳 धोखाधड़ी

🇩🇪 Betrug

🇮🇩 penipuan

🇺🇦 шахрайство

🇵🇱 oszustwo

🇯🇵 詐欺

🇫🇷 escroquerie

🇪🇸 estafa

🇹🇷 dolandırıcılık

🇰🇷 사기

🇸🇦 احتيال

🇨🇿 podvod

🇸🇰 podvod

🇨🇳 骗局

🇸🇮 prevara

🇮🇸 svik

🇰🇿 алаяқтық

🇬🇪 თაღლითობა

🇦🇿 dələduzluq

🇲🇽 estafa

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #24,752, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.

...
24749 searchers
24750 syntactical
24751 swerve
24752 scam
24753 garbled
24754 foolhardy
24755 overcharge
...