A swindler is someone who tricks people out of their money or property through elaborate lies and schemes. Unlike a simple thief who might grab something and run, a swindler uses clever deception to make victims willingly hand over what they own. The swindler might pretend to be someone trustworthy, promise incredible returns on an investment, or create fake emergencies that prey on people's kindness or fear.

History is full of famous swindlers. In the 1920s, Charles Ponzi convinced thousands of people to invest in a scheme that promised huge profits but actually used money from new investors to pay earlier ones. Eventually the scheme collapsed, leaving most investors with nothing. Some swindlers have even sold fake medicines, worthless land, or investments in businesses that don't exist.

The related verb is swindle: to cheat someone through trickery. If someone swindles you, they've tricked you out of something valuable. A swindle (noun) is the dishonest scheme itself. What makes swindling different from other forms of cheating is the calculated deception involved. Swindlers are often charming and persuasive, which is exactly how they win people's trust before betraying it.