What exactly IS a scam?

The name of this web site is: realscam.com Is it, or isn’t it? You decide.

Language is an ever growing tool for communications. Definitions may change or be expanded upon throughout time. Context, common usage, implied meaning, and changing philosophies all play a role. As in most of the universe, things are rarely black or white.

I wonder if anyone purchases dictionaries any more, as there are many on-line dictionaries. The entries on-line are often an abbreviated version of what may be found in a large, hardcover tome.

So what is a scam?


Dictionary definitions:

A fraudulent business scheme; a swindle.
scam - definition of scam by the Free Online Dictionary, Thesaurus and Encyclopedia.

A confidence game or other fraudulent scheme, esp. for making a quick profit; swindle.
Scam | Define Scam at Dictionary.com

A fraudulent or deceptive act or operation
Scam - Definition and More from the Free Merriam-Webster Dictionary

A dishonest scheme; a fraud
definition of scam from Oxford Dictionaries Online


Google search (what is a scam):

A scam is a dishonest attempt to trap you into parting wth (sic) your money.
OCBA - What is a scam?

A scheme which purposely distorts the truth in order to get someone to part with something of value.
what is a scam


Word of the day: Etymology

Emet and Associates, LLC
Logophiles and Etymologists Guild
Serving the Interwebs since 2010

That's one of those "how long is a piece of string" questions.

To anyone over 50, McDonalds claiming a Big Mac is a "hamburger" is an absolute scam.

A more pertinent question would perhaps be:

"of all the scams which you encounter daily, which ones annoy you enough to post on forums ??"

One could fill a book.

most "Politics" ?? SCAM

The United Nations ?? SCAM

"Public relations" ???? SCAM

most "Multi Level Marketing" ??? SCAM WITHIN SCAM, WITHIN SCAM, WITHIN SCAM, WITHIN SCAM

Asking someone what defines a "scam" is akin to asking someone to define "beauty"

As always, both exist in the eye of the beholder.

Some people miss the point of a rhetorical question, which may be posed for a variety of reasons.
Some people are unable to understand the intent of another’s writings, unless it is specifically pointed out to them.
Some people respond to others with scorn or derision.
Some people use faulty or illogical thinking.
Some people make broad, sweeping generalizations that have no basis in reality.
Some people carry an air of superiority, whether or not it is reality based.
Some people think they are always right.
Some people...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Emet

Some people miss the point of a rhetorical question, which may be posed for a variety of reasons..

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Well if it were posed as a thread starter on a discussion forum would it not be there for....er....discussion?

To continue...lets examine this forum...

MLM, Network Marketing and Pyramid Schemes
And how to tell them apart.

Does this indicate they are all scams and we are attempting to tell them apart?

Or does it indicate that the Pyramid Scheme is an illegal scam and MLM and Network Marketing (is there a difference between these two?) are not?

By the way, if you answer any of this they are rhetorical and I will chastise you.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Emet

Some people are unable to understand the intent of another’s writings, unless it is specifically pointed out to them.

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Now ain't THAT the truth.

Happens in the strangest places.