Translation guide
A scam is a dishonest scheme to trick someone out of money or personal information. In Japanese, the most common and direct word is 詐欺 (sagi). However, the way you talk about scams depends on the context: whether it's a general fraud, a specific type like a phishing email, or a common phone scam targeting the elderly. This guide covers the most useful expressions for an English speaker.
To refer to a scam in a broad sense, such as a fraudulent business, investment scheme, or any act of deception for financial gain.
The standard, all-purpose word for 'scam' or 'fraud'. It can be used for anything from online scams to corporate fraud. Often combined with other words to specify the type.
それは詐欺です。
That's a scam.
詐欺に遭わないように気をつけてください。
Please be careful not to fall victim to a scam.
A slightly colloquial term for a swindle or con, often implying a clever trick. Less formal than 詐欺.
あの話はペテンだよ。
That story is a scam.
Literally 'deception'. Often used in compounds like 騙し取る (to swindle out of). More about the act of tricking than the scheme itself.
それはただの騙しだ。
That's just a scam.
To name a particular kind of scam, such as phishing, phone scams, or investment fraud.
Phishing scam. The English word 'phishing' is used as-is, combined with 詐欺.
フィッシング詐欺のメールに注意してください。
Beware of phishing scam emails.
A common phone scam in Japan where victims are tricked into transferring money to a bank account. Often targets the elderly.
Investment scam or fraud.
その会社は投資詐欺で訴えられた。
That company was sued for investment fraud.
Romance scam, where a fraudster feigns romantic interest to gain money.
A type of phone scam where the caller pretends to be a relative in distress, often saying 'It's me, it's me!' (オレオレ).
To express the action of scamming or cheating someone out of money.
The most common verb meaning 'to deceive' or 'to trick'. Can be used for scamming in a financial sense.
彼は私を騙してお金を取った。
He scammed me out of my money.
Literally 'to commit fraud'. A more formal or legalistic way to say 'to scam'.
彼らは詐欺を働いて逮捕された。
They were arrested for scamming people.
To swindle or defraud someone out of something. Emphasizes taking money or goods through deception.
To call something a scam in a casual, conversational way, similar to 'rip-off' or 'con'.
A colloquial term for something fake, a sham, or a rip-off. Often used for products or deals that are not genuine.
この商品はインチキだ。
This product is a scam.
As above, a swindle or con. Can be used as a noun.
あのセールスはペテンだった。
That sales pitch was a scam.
The direct katakana loanword スキャム is not commonly used in Japanese. Stick to 詐欺 or other native terms.
詐欺 is the standard, formal term for fraud. 騙し is more about the act of deception and can sound less serious or more colloquial. For most situations, 詐欺 is the safer choice.
振り込め詐欺が増えています。
Bank transfer scams are on the rise.
ロマンス詐欺に引っかからないで。
Don't fall for a romance scam.
オレオレ詐欺に気をつけて。
Watch out for the 'it's me' scam.
詐欺師に貯金を騙し取られた。
I was scammed out of my savings by a con artist.