A confidence game is a scheme by which a swindler, commonly referred to as a con artist, wins the confidence of their victim and then cheats them out of their money by exploiting the trust placed in them.
Originally referred to a swindler who fled hurriedly from a business situation after their modus operandi (MO) had been discovered by the locals; now refers to a shady business, often operating out of a post office box or accommodation address, that cannot be located when its merchandise or product proves unsatisfactory.
