Formal:
* Fraud: This is a more serious and legal term, often used in legal contexts.
* Deception: This word emphasizes the act of misleading someone.
* Con: This is a more informal term for a scam, often used to describe a clever or elaborate scheme.
* Swindle: This word implies that someone has been cheated out of money or property.
Informal:
* Rip-off: This word is used to describe something that is overpriced or unfair.
* Hustle: This word is used to describe a scam that is carried out in a quick and clever way.
* Grift: This word is a more slang term for a scam.
* Rake-off: This word refers to a dishonest profit that is taken from a transaction.
Other:
* Scheme: This word can be used for any plan that is intended to deceive or cheat someone.
* Trick: This word is used for a simple or small-scale scam.
* Bait-and-switch: This term refers to a specific type of scam where a customer is lured in with a low price, only to be offered a more expensive product.
The best word to use will depend on the specific situation. For example, "fraud" would be the most appropriate word to use in a legal context, while "hustle" might be a better choice for a more informal conversation.