thimblerigger
/ˈθɪmbəlˌrɪɡər/
noun
- A person who cheats others in a game or scheme, especially by using a thimble or small object to trick people in a betting game.
- She realized too late that the man on the street corner was a thimblerigger.
- The thimblerigger at the fair tricked many people out of their money.
- The police arrested the thimblerigger after complaints from tourists.
- A dishonest person who uses clever tricks or deception to get money from others.
- Don't trust that smooth talker; he's a thimblerigger looking for easy targets.
- The politician was exposed as a thimblerigger who had stolen from the city fund.
- The con artist was a thimblerigger who could fool anyone with his fast hands.