"It's me" scam

[Itasan]

(from a newspaper)

>>The scam has been dubbed the "Ore, ore" ("It's me, me") swindle by the media and involves perpetrators making random phone calls, starting the conversation by saying "It's me!" and pretending to be a young relative before asking for a favor or money to pay off a bill or fine. This and other forms of fraud have been increasing throughout Japan in recent months.<<

It's a shame that this kind of phenomenon is very frequently noticed here. I wonder if it's experienced in other countries also. If so, what is the term for that? BTW, which word is most appropriate in such a case; scam, fraud, swindle, or any other?

Thank you.

[fluffyhamster]

Like the report shows, 'scam' is a good initial word for this 'form of fraud' (the variety/variation thereafter, from 'scam' to 'swindle' through to 'fraud', is simply a matter of "style", to avoid repetition for the reader).

'Swindle' is probably used most often as a verb rather than a noun (to swindle sb out of sthg or a sum of money).

'Fraud' is the umbrella term and probably what the formal name for the offense would be, if the con artists do indeed get caught and charged.

[Itasan]

Thank you, Fluffy. See you.

[tigertiger]

A thought

Is the word scam a slang term?