Alternative spellings

• con-artist

Noun

Singular con artist

Plural con artists

con artist (plural con artists)

1. A person who defrauds or swindles others after first gaining their trust; a scam operator.

Synonyms

• conman
• smooth operator
• See also Wikisaurus:deceiver

Anagrams

• Nostratic
• tractions

A confidence trick or confidence game (also known as a bunko, con, flim flam, gaffle, grift, hustle, scam, scheme, swindle or bamboozle) is an attempt to defraud a person or group by gaining their confidence. The victim is known as the mark, the trickster is called a confidence man, con man, confidence trickster, or con artist, and any accomplices are known as shills. Confidence men or women exploit human characteristics such as greed and dishonesty, and have victimized individuals from all walks of life.

History

The first known usage of the term "confidence man" in English was in 1849; it was used by American press during the United States trial of William Thompson. Thompson chatted with strangers until he asked if they had the confidence to lend him their watches, whereupon he would walk off with the watch; he was captured when a victim recognized him on the street.