A Con Game, or Confidence Game, is where a person attempts to steal from another person through deception. The thief shows the victim that he, the thief, has confidence in him, the victim. The thief than acts as if the victim should then reciprocate and have confidence in the thief. The strategy used to steal from the victim is known as The Con or The Sting or The Kansas City Shuffle.
Here are the players in a Con Game:
THE GRIFTER - This is the boss. He/she is the brains of the operation. This is the person who runs The Con.
SHILLS - These are assistants to The Grifter. The Shill is used to distract the victim or encourage the victim. Shills can be young or old, male or female, attractive or plain. A shill can look like anyone.
THE MARK - This is the victim. The person The Grifter and Shills are trying to steal from. Also known as THE SUCKER.