Definition of scam
(Entry 1 of 2)
: a fraudulent or deceptive act or operation
an insurance scam
scam
verb
scammed; scamming; scams
Definition of scam (Entry 2 of 2)
1
: to deceive and defraud (someone)
… the law firm had got the lucrative job of defending the corporate head of a savings and loan that had scammed another thousand or so people out of their savings …— Joseph Wambaugh
2
: to obtain (something, such as money) by a scam
A Boston hedge fund manager who scammed millions of dollars from friends, family and other investors in what authorities say was a Ponzi scheme has been sent to prison for more than 14 years. — The Worcester (Massachusetts) Telegram & Gazette
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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Time Traveler for scam
The first known use of scam was in 1963
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