as in frauds
an instance of the use of dishonest methods to acquire something of value
that's just a scam to bilk insurance companies for staged accidents
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Recent Examples of scams
The act requires virtual currency kiosk operators to register with the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, provide reports detailing all kiosk locations, and provide full refunds to new customers who are victims of scams at kiosks.
—
Arkansas Online, 4 Oct. 2025
This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 4 Oct. 2025
As online fundraisers are surfacing, Grand Blanc Township Police Chief William Renye said people looking to support the victims should be careful of scams looking to take advantage of people eager to donate.
—Natalie Davies, Freep.com, 3 Oct. 2025
Shot in Japanese and English across Tokyo and Singapore, the series stars Anna Yamada and Shawn Thia as gamers caught in Tokyo’s criminal underworld of scams and trafficking.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 3 Oct. 2025
However, crypto ATMs can be prone to scams.
—Alex Perry, Cincinnati Enquirer, 26 Sep. 2025
Last year, more than 40,000 Chinese people were detained in Myanmar over scams and deported to China.
—Hannah Beech, New York Times, 31 Dec. 2024
In the summer of 2024, New York Attorney General Letitia James warned about investment scams using deepfake videos of celebrities like Warren Buffett and Elon Musk to lure investors.
—Steven Smith, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024
Life advice Olivier Morin/AFP via Getty Images Fraudsters are improving their scams with the help of artificial intelligence.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 27 Dec. 2024
Arkansas Online, 4 Oct. 2025
This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 4 Oct. 2025
As online fundraisers are surfacing, Grand Blanc Township Police Chief William Renye said people looking to support the victims should be careful of scams looking to take advantage of people eager to donate.
—Natalie Davies, Freep.com, 3 Oct. 2025
Shot in Japanese and English across Tokyo and Singapore, the series stars Anna Yamada and Shawn Thia as gamers caught in Tokyo’s criminal underworld of scams and trafficking.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 3 Oct. 2025
However, crypto ATMs can be prone to scams.
—Alex Perry, Cincinnati Enquirer, 26 Sep. 2025
Last year, more than 40,000 Chinese people were detained in Myanmar over scams and deported to China.
—Hannah Beech, New York Times, 31 Dec. 2024
In the summer of 2024, New York Attorney General Letitia James warned about investment scams using deepfake videos of celebrities like Warren Buffett and Elon Musk to lure investors.
—Steven Smith, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024
Life advice Olivier Morin/AFP via Getty Images Fraudsters are improving their scams with the help of artificial intelligence.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 27 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scams
Noun
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This fan-favorite promotion returns after nearly 10 years away, having been shelved following the exposure of one of the biggest frauds in corporate marketing history.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
29 Sep. 2025
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Certain frauds included requests to share bank details or to pay upfront costs associated with onboarding, such as certification or background check fees.—
Hugh Cameron,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Frauds, swindles, cons, scams, and deceptions — collectively known as hoaxes.—
Scott Neuman,
NPR,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Frauds, swindles, cons, scams, and deceptions — collectively known as hoaxes.—
Scott Neuman,
NPR,
1 Oct. 2025
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Despite the relief of being safe, the effects of these hoaxes endure.—
Alisha Ebrahimji,
CNN Money,
21 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Scams.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scams. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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