Translation guide
The act of cheating someone out of money or property through deception or fraud. In Japanese, this is expressed through specific nouns and verbs that describe fraudulent schemes, scams, and the act of defrauding someone.
To refer to the act of cheating someone out of money or property in a general sense.
The most common and general term for fraud, swindling, or a scam. Can be used in legal and everyday contexts.
He was arrested for fraud.
その投資話は詐欺だった。
That investment deal was a swindle.
The most common verb meaning 'to deceive' or 'to swindle'. Used when someone tricks another person into giving money or believing something false.
彼は高齢者を騙してお金を取った。
He swindled elderly people out of their money.
騙されないでください。
Please don't be swindled.
A compound verb meaning 'to swindle someone out of something' or 'to defraud and take'. Emphasizes the act of obtaining money or goods through deception.
彼は彼女から百万円を騙し取った。
He swindled her out of one million yen.
A formal or legal term for obtaining money or property through fraud. Often used in legal documents or news reports.
詐取罪で起訴された。
He was indicted for fraud (swindling).
To refer to particular fraudulent schemes or methods of swindling.
A common type of scam in Japan where victims are tricked into transferring money to a bank account, often by phone or email. Literally 'transfer fraud'.
振り込め詐欺に注意してください。
Please be careful of wire transfer scams.
A specific type of phone scam where the caller pretends to be a relative in trouble and asks for money. 'Ore' is a masculine 'I', hence 'It's me, it's me scam'.
Investment fraud or scam, where victims are swindled through fake investment opportunities.
その会社は投資詐欺で訴えられた。
The company was sued for investment fraud.
A somewhat dated or colloquial term for a swindle, trick, or con game. Often used in the phrase 'ペテンにかける' (to swindle someone).
彼はペテン師だ。
He's a swindler.
To refer to a swindler or con artist.
The standard term for a swindler, con artist, or fraudster.
彼は有名な詐欺師だ。
He is a famous swindler.
A more colloquial and slightly dated term for a con man or trickster.
There is no single verb that perfectly matches 'to swindle' in all contexts. Use 騙す (damasu) for general deception, or 騙し取る (damashitoru) when emphasizing the taking of money or goods. Avoid direct translations like 'スウィンドルする'.
詐欺 (sagi) is a noun meaning fraud or a scam, often used in legal or formal contexts. 騙す (damasu) is a verb meaning to deceive or trick, and is more common in everyday speech. You can say 詐欺をする (to commit fraud) or 詐欺に遭う (to be a victim of fraud).
祖母がオレオレ詐欺に遭った。
My grandmother fell victim to an 'it's me' scam.
Unscrupulous business practices or fraudulent sales methods. Often used for door-to-door sales scams or deceptive marketing.
悪徳商法に引っかからないように。
Don't fall for unscrupulous business practices.
あのペテン師に気をつけろ。
Watch out for that con man.