Meaning & use
scam artist
Last updated
Meanings
nouncountableinformaldisapproving
A person who regularly tricks others out of money using dishonest plans or false stories.
Grammar: Countable: say 'a scam artist' or 'scam artists'. Usually disapproving, so it sounds like an accusation, not a job title.
Patterns
- a scam artist who does something
- be taken in by a scam artist
- report a scam artist to the police
The man who sold fake holiday homes turned out to be a scam artist.
She lost her savings to a scam artist who pretended to be a bank official.
Police warned that scam artists often target older people by phone.
nouncountableinformalhumorous
Someone who is very good at persuading people, especially in a clever or slightly dishonest way.
Grammar: Countable and often used with a light, humorous tone when no real crime is involved: 'a bit of a scam artist'.
Patterns
- a bit of a scam artist
- a real scam artist at something
He's a bit of a scam artist when it comes to getting free upgrades.
Don't believe her excuses — she's a scam artist at avoiding work.
Word forms
| plural | scam artists |
|---|
Common combinations
- a notorious scam artist
- The city had a notorious scam artist who sold tickets to shows that did not exist.
- fall for a scam artist's story
- Many tourists fall for a scam artist's story about a lost wallet.
- target someone like a scam artist
- The emails target people like a scam artist, promising prizes that do not exist.
- expose a scam artist
- A journalist helped expose a scam artist who had cheated hundreds of families.
- a scam artist posing as someone
- A scam artist posing as a repairman took money for work he never did.
Synonyms and how they differ
- fraudster
- More formal and often used in news or legal contexts; 'scam artist' is casual and can even be joking.
- con man
- Focuses on gaining trust face to face, while 'scam artist' can work by phone, online, or in person.
- swindler
- A slightly old-fashioned or literary word for the same idea; 'scam artist' sounds more modern and informal.
- cheat
- Very general and can describe anyone who breaks rules; 'scam artist' suggests a repeated pattern of tricking people for money.
Word family
Commonly confused: scam artist or con artist?
scam artist vs con artist
Almost the same meaning, but 'con artist' usually suggests charming someone in person, while a 'scam artist' often uses a scheme or fake offer.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'scam artist' most naturally?
Choose one answer.
A scam artist tricks people out of money, so selling fake concert tickets fits. The first and third options describe honest, ordinary work, and the fourth uses the phrase for a harmless skill, which is only possible in a joking context.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “scam artist”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.