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.
彼は詐欺で逮捕された。
He was arrested for fraud.
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.
He swindled elderly people out of their money.
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.
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.
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'.
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.
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).
To refer to a swindler or con artist.
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).
My grandmother fell victim to an 'it's me' scam.
The company was sued for investment fraud.
Unscrupulous business practices or fraudulent sales methods. Often used for door-to-door sales scams or deceptive marketing.
Don't fall for unscrupulous business practices.
He's a swindler.
あのペテン師に気をつけろ。
Watch out for that con man.