SettingsConfidence tricks
Art student scam
The art student scam is a confidence trick in which cheap, mass-produced paintings or prints are misrepresented as original works of art, often by young people pretending to be art students tryi...
The art student scam is a confidence trick in which cheap, mass-produced paintings or prints are misrepresented as original works of art, often by young people pretending to be art students tryi...
Badger game
The badger game is an extortion scheme, often perpetrated on married men, in which the victim or "mark" is tricked into a compromising position to make him vulnerable to blackmail.
The badger game is an extortion scheme, often perpetrated on married men, in which the victim or "mark" is tricked into a compromising position to make him vulnerable to blackmail.
BioPerformance
BioPerformance is a multi-level marketing company that sells fuel additives, often in the form of "gas pills", which are claimed to increase fuel efficiency in automobiles.
BioPerformance is a multi-level marketing company that sells fuel additives, often in the form of "gas pills", which are claimed to increase fuel efficiency in automobiles.
Black money scam
The black money scam, sometimes also known as the "wash wash scam", is a scam where con artists attempt to fraudulently obtain money from a victim by persuading him or her that piles of banknote...
The black money scam, sometimes also known as the "wash wash scam", is a scam where con artists attempt to fraudulently obtain money from a victim by persuading him or her that piles of banknote...
Bogus escrow
The bogus escrow scam is a straightforward confidence trick in which a scammer operates a bogus escrow service.
The bogus escrow scam is a straightforward confidence trick in which a scammer operates a bogus escrow service.
Bride scam
A bride scam is a confidence trick scheme to cheat possible grooms by foreign alleged brides.
A bride scam is a confidence trick scheme to cheat possible grooms by foreign alleged brides.
Cackle-bladder
Cackle-bladder (or cacklebladder) is a means of faking someone's death through the use of a rubber bladder filled with fake blood.
Cackle-bladder (or cacklebladder) is a means of faking someone's death through the use of a rubber bladder filled with fake blood.
Children of Lieutenant Schmidt
Children of Lieutenant Schmidt (Дети лейтенанта Шмидта) is a fictional secret society of con men that pretended to be children of Lieutenant Schmidt (a Russian revolutionary hero), described in ...
Children of Lieutenant Schmidt (Дети лейтенанта Шмидта) is a fictional secret society of con men that pretended to be children of Lieutenant Schmidt (a Russian revolutionary hero), described in ...
Clip joint
A clip joint or fleshpot is an establishment, usually a strip club or entertainment bar, typically one claiming to offer adult entertainment or bottle service, in which customers are trick...
A clip joint or fleshpot is an establishment, usually a strip club or entertainment bar, typically one claiming to offer adult entertainment or bottle service, in which customers are trick...
Coin rolling scams
Coin-rolling related scams are a collection of scams involving rolls of coins that typically victimize banks and large retail stores.
Coin-rolling related scams are a collection of scams involving rolls of coins that typically victimize banks and large retail stores.
Coin-matching game
A coin-matching game is a confidence trick in which two con artists set up one victim.
A coin-matching game is a confidence trick in which two con artists set up one victim.
Cold reading
Cold reading is a series of techniques used by mentalists, psychics, fortune-tellers, and illusionists to determine or express details about another person, often in order to convince them that ...
Cold reading is a series of techniques used by mentalists, psychics, fortune-tellers, and illusionists to determine or express details about another person, often in order to convince them that ...
Confidence trick
A confidence trick is an attempt to defraud a person or group by gaining their confidence.
A confidence trick is an attempt to defraud a person or group by gaining their confidence.
Cramming (fraud)
Cramming is a form of fraud in which small charges are added to a bill by a third party without the subscriber's consent or disclosure.
Cramming is a form of fraud in which small charges are added to a bill by a third party without the subscriber's consent or disclosure.
Domain name scams
Domain name scams are types of Intellectual property scams or confidence scams in which unscrupulous domain name registrars attempt to generate revenue by tricking businesses into buying, listin...
Domain name scams are types of Intellectual property scams or confidence scams in which unscrupulous domain name registrars attempt to generate revenue by tricking businesses into buying, listin...
Domain slamming
Domain slamming (officially referred to as unauthorized transfers) is a form of Intellectual property scam and confidence scam in which the offending domain name registrar attempts to tric...
Domain slamming (officially referred to as unauthorized transfers) is a form of Intellectual property scam and confidence scam in which the offending domain name registrar attempts to tric...
Drop swindle
The drop swindle was a confidence trick commonly used during the 19th and 20th centuries.
The drop swindle was a confidence trick commonly used during the 19th and 20th centuries.
E-mail fraud
Almost as soon as e-mail became widely used, it began to be used to defraud people via e-mail fraud.
Almost as soon as e-mail became widely used, it began to be used to defraud people via e-mail fraud.
El Gordo de la Primitiva Lottery International Promotions Programmes
El Gordo de la Primitiva Lottery International Promotions Programmes is a lottery scam e-mail or letter, which comes with a payment processing or registration form.
El Gordo de la Primitiva Lottery International Promotions Programmes is a lottery scam e-mail or letter, which comes with a payment processing or registration form.
Email fraud
Email fraud is the intentional deception made for personal gain or to damage another individual through email.
Email fraud is the intentional deception made for personal gain or to damage another individual through email.
Embarrassing cheque
The Embarrassing Cheque is a confidence trick which may also be an urban legend.
The Embarrassing Cheque is a confidence trick which may also be an urban legend.
Enzyte
Enzyte is an herbal nutritional supplement originally manufactured by Berkeley Premium Nutraceuticals of Cincinnati, Ohio.
Enzyte is an herbal nutritional supplement originally manufactured by Berkeley Premium Nutraceuticals of Cincinnati, Ohio.
Fiddle game
The fiddle game is a confidence trick, involving two men.
The fiddle game is a confidence trick, involving two men.
Flim-Flam! Psychics, ESP, Unicorns, and Other Delusions
Flim-Flam! Psychics, ESP, Unicorns, and Other Delusions is a 1982 book by magician and skeptic James Randi about paranormal, occult, and pseudoscience claims.
Flim-Flam! Psychics, ESP, Unicorns, and Other Delusions is a 1982 book by magician and skeptic James Randi about paranormal, occult, and pseudoscience claims.
Fortune telling fraud
Fortune telling fraud, also called the bujo or egg curse scam, is a type of confidence trick, based on a claim of secret or occult information.
Fortune telling fraud, also called the bujo or egg curse scam, is a type of confidence trick, based on a claim of secret or occult information.
Great Reality TV Swindle
The Great Reality TV Swindle was a con perpetrated in 2002 by Nik Russian, a British man who, at the time, was working at a branch of the UK book chain Waterstone's.
The Great Reality TV Swindle was a con perpetrated in 2002 by Nik Russian, a British man who, at the time, was working at a branch of the UK book chain Waterstone's.
Green goods scam
The green goods scam, also known as the "green goods game", was a fraudulent scheme popular among 19th-century "confidence games" in the United States.
The green goods scam, also known as the "green goods game", was a fraudulent scheme popular among 19th-century "confidence games" in the United States.
Hongcheng Magic Liquid
The Hongcheng Magic Liquid incident was a scam in China where Wang Hongcheng, a bus driver from Harbin with no scientific education, claimed in 1983 that he could turn regular water into a fuel ...
The Hongcheng Magic Liquid incident was a scam in China where Wang Hongcheng, a bus driver from Harbin with no scientific education, claimed in 1983 that he could turn regular water into a fuel ...
Hot reading
Hot reading is the use of foreknowledge when giving a psychic reading in stage magic performances, or in other contexts.
Hot reading is the use of foreknowledge when giving a psychic reading in stage magic performances, or in other contexts.
Hustling
Hustling is the deceptive act of disguising one's skill in a sport or game with the intent of luring someone of probably lesser skill into gambling with the hustler, as a form of confidence tric...
Hustling is the deceptive act of disguising one's skill in a sport or game with the intent of luring someone of probably lesser skill into gambling with the hustler, as a form of confidence tric...
Kansas City Shuffle
"Kansas City Shuffle" is a song by jazz pianist Bennie Moten.
"Kansas City Shuffle" is a song by jazz pianist Bennie Moten.
Matthew Lesko
Matthew Lesko is an American author, self-proclaimed federal grant researcher, and infomercial personality.
Matthew Lesko is an American author, self-proclaimed federal grant researcher, and infomercial personality.
Miracle cars scam
The miracle cars scam was an advance fee fraud that ran from 1997 to 2002.
The miracle cars scam was an advance fee fraud that ran from 1997 to 2002.
Mock auction
A Mock auction is a scam usually operated in a street market, disposal sale or similar environment, where cheap and low quality goods are sold at high prices by a team of confidence tricksters.
A Mock auction is a scam usually operated in a street market, disposal sale or similar environment, where cheap and low quality goods are sold at high prices by a team of confidence tricksters.
Moving scam
A moving scam is a scam by a moving company in which company provides an estimate, loads the goods, then states a much higher price to deliver the goods, effectively holding the goods hostage.
A moving scam is a scam by a moving company in which company provides an estimate, loads the goods, then states a much higher price to deliver the goods, effectively holding the goods hostage.
Patent safe
The patent safe game was a confidence trick much practiced during the late Civil War in and around New York City.
The patent safe game was a confidence trick much practiced during the late Civil War in and around New York City.
Phishing
Phishing is attempting to acquire information such as usernames, passwords, and credit card details by masquerading as a trustworthy entity in an electronic communication.
Phishing is attempting to acquire information such as usernames, passwords, and credit card details by masquerading as a trustworthy entity in an electronic communication.
Pig in a poke
The idioms pig in a poke and sell a pup refer to a confidence trick originating in the Late Middle Ages, when meat was scarce, but cats and dogs were not.
The idioms pig in a poke and sell a pup refer to a confidence trick originating in the Late Middle Ages, when meat was scarce, but cats and dogs were not.
Pigeon drop
Pigeon drop is a confidence trick in which a mark or "pigeon" is persuaded to give up a sum of money in order to secure the rights to a larger sum of money, or more valuable object.
Pigeon drop is a confidence trick in which a mark or "pigeon" is persuaded to give up a sum of money in order to secure the rights to a larger sum of money, or more valuable object.
Ponzi scheme
A Ponzi scheme is a fraudulent investment operation that pays returns to its investors from their own money or the money paid by subsequent investors, rather than from profit earned by the indi...
A Ponzi scheme is a fraudulent investment operation that pays returns to its investors from their own money or the money paid by subsequent investors, rather than from profit earned by the indi...
Pyramid scheme
A pyramid scheme is a non-sustainable business model that involves promising participants payment or services, primarily for enrolling other people into the scheme, rather than supplying any rea...
A pyramid scheme is a non-sustainable business model that involves promising participants payment or services, primarily for enrolling other people into the scheme, rather than supplying any rea...
Reloading scam
In a reloading scam, a victim is repeatedly approached by con artists, often until "sucked dry".
In a reloading scam, a victim is repeatedly approached by con artists, often until "sucked dry".
Salting (confidence trick)
In mineral exploration, salting is the process of adding gold or silver to an ore sample to change the value of the ore with intent to deceive, cheat or defraud any person.
In mineral exploration, salting is the process of adding gold or silver to an ore sample to change the value of the ore with intent to deceive, cheat or defraud any person.
Sandbagging (golfing)
In golf, a player is said to be sandbagging when he deliberately plays poorly until he establishes a handicap and then increases his money bets on his play using the established handicap to win ...
In golf, a player is said to be sandbagging when he deliberately plays poorly until he establishes a handicap and then increases his money bets on his play using the established handicap to win ...
Scams in intellectual property
Scams in intelectual property or invention scams are a type of scam in which either inventors are lured to pay money for developing an idea but do not follow up on it, or investors pay money for...
Scams in intelectual property or invention scams are a type of scam in which either inventors are lured to pay money for developing an idea but do not follow up on it, or investors pay money for...
Shell game
The shell game is portrayed as a gambling game, but in reality, when a wager for money is made, it is a confidence trick used to perpetrate fraud.
The shell game is portrayed as a gambling game, but in reality, when a wager for money is made, it is a confidence trick used to perpetrate fraud.
Shyster
A shyster is a slang word for someone who acts in a disreputable, unethical, or unscrupulous way, especially in the practice of law, politics or business.
A shyster is a slang word for someone who acts in a disreputable, unethical, or unscrupulous way, especially in the practice of law, politics or business.
Sick baby hoax
The success of sick child scams and sick baby hoaxes relies on a particular compassion in people towards children.
The success of sick child scams and sick baby hoaxes relies on a particular compassion in people towards children.
Slavery reparations scam
The "Slave Reparations Act" (also called the Slavery Reparation Tax Credit, Black Tax Credit or Black Inheritance Tax Refund) is a tax fraud related to the concept of reparatio...
The "Slave Reparations Act" (also called the Slavery Reparation Tax Credit, Black Tax Credit or Black Inheritance Tax Refund) is a tax fraud related to the concept of reparatio...
Spanish Prisoner
The Spanish Prisoner is a confidence trick originating in the late 19th century.
The Spanish Prisoner is a confidence trick originating in the late 19th century.
Strip search prank call scam
The McDonald's strip search scam was a series of incidents occurring for roughly a decade before an arrest was made in 2004.
The McDonald's strip search scam was a series of incidents occurring for roughly a decade before an arrest was made in 2004.
Sucker list
A sucker list is a list of people who have previously been successfully solicited for something.
A sucker list is a list of people who have previously been successfully solicited for something.
Television Preview
Television Preview (also known as "New TV Preview") is a market research company that purports to test pilots of new television shows while actually looking for audience's reactions to commercia...
Television Preview (also known as "New TV Preview") is a market research company that purports to test pilots of new television shows while actually looking for audience's reactions to commercia...
Thai gem scam
The Thai Gem Scam (also known as the Bangkok Gem Scam) is a confidence trick performed in Bangkok, Thailand as well as other cities in the country.
The Thai Gem Scam (also known as the Bangkok Gem Scam) is a confidence trick performed in Bangkok, Thailand as well as other cities in the country.
Thai tailor scam
Thai Tailor Scam (also known as the Bangkok Tailor Scam) is one of the most common confidence trick performed in many tourist hotspots in Thailand, like Pattaya, Bangkok, Phuket, and even idylli...
Thai Tailor Scam (also known as the Bangkok Tailor Scam) is one of the most common confidence trick performed in many tourist hotspots in Thailand, like Pattaya, Bangkok, Phuket, and even idylli...
Thai zig zag scam
Zig zag scam is a confidence trick where one is falsely accused of shoplifting, and then held by police or those claiming to be authorities until they pay a large 'bail' for the alleged theft.
Zig zag scam is a confidence trick where one is falsely accused of shoplifting, and then held by police or those claiming to be authorities until they pay a large 'bail' for the alleged theft.
The switch (con)
The Switch is a type of confidence trick designed to obtain money from a victim by exchanging a phoney package or bundle for the package containing the money.
The Switch is a type of confidence trick designed to obtain money from a victim by exchanging a phoney package or bundle for the package containing the money.
Three-card Monte
Three-card Monte, also known as the Three-card marney, Three-card trick, Three-Way, Three-card shuffle, Menage-a-card, Triplets, Follow the lady, L...
Three-card Monte, also known as the Three-card marney, Three-card trick, Three-Way, Three-card shuffle, Menage-a-card, Triplets, Follow the lady, L...
Vanity gallery
A vanity gallery is an art gallery that charges artists fees to exhibit their work and makes most of its money from artists rather than from sales to the public.
A vanity gallery is an art gallery that charges artists fees to exhibit their work and makes most of its money from artists rather than from sales to the public.
Welsh Thrasher faith scam
The Welsh Thrasher faith scam was a scam that targeted people of faith, operating as a Ponzi scheme.
The Welsh Thrasher faith scam was a scam that targeted people of faith, operating as a Ponzi scheme.
White van speaker scam
The white van speaker scam is a scam sales technique in which a salesman makes a buyer believe they are getting a good price on audio merchandise.
The white van speaker scam is a scam sales technique in which a salesman makes a buyer believe they are getting a good price on audio merchandise.
Work-at-home scheme
A work-at-home scheme is a get-rich-quick scheme in which a victim is lured by an offer to be employed at home, very often doing some simple task in a minimal amount of time with a large amount ...
A work-at-home scheme is a get-rich-quick scheme in which a victim is lured by an offer to be employed at home, very often doing some simple task in a minimal amount of time with a large amount ...