Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Scam in Spanish
Estafa · noun · ehs-TAH-fah
The Spanish word for scam is 'estafa,' used to describe a dishonest scheme designed to cheat someone out of money or valuables. In Spain, the informal synonym 'timo' is also widely used in conversation.
Pronounce 'estafa' as ehs-TAH-fah, stressing the second syllable. Each vowel is pronounced clearly.
Esa oferta de internet era una estafa.
That internet offer was a scam.
scam in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for scam, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| estafa | scam | ehs-TAH-fah | Default, widely understood |
| fraude | scam | formal or legal context | |
| timo | scam | Spain, informal |
How Native Speakers Use Estafa
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Warning a friend
Ten cuidado, eso parece una estafa.
Be careful, that looks like a scam.
Cautioning someone about a suspicious deal.
Reporting fraud
Denuncié la estafa a la policía.
I reported the scam to the police.
Describing a formal complaint.
Online scam
Recibí un correo electrónico que era una estafa.
I received an email that was a scam.
Talking about phishing or fraudulent emails.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Estafa
Using the English word directly
Incorrect: Eso es un scam.
Correct: Eso es una estafa.
Spanish does not use the English word 'scam.' The proper term is 'estafa,' which is feminine and takes the article 'una.'
Wrong article gender
Incorrect: El estafa fue terrible.
Correct: La estafa fue terrible.
'Estafa' is a feminine noun and requires the feminine article 'la,' not 'el.'
Lock in scam Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.
See Estafa used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using estafa in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Esa oferta de internet era una estafa. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
Save, review, repeat, stay consistent
Tap any word to save it. Parrot's spaced-repetition system surfaces it right before you'd forget, no manual flashcard creation. The watch, parrot back, save, review cycle turns recognition into fluency at 2.7x the speed of traditional study.
Common Questions About scam in Spanish
- What is the difference between 'estafa' and 'timo'?
- Both mean scam, but 'timo' is an informal term mostly used in Spain, while 'estafa' is universally understood across all Spanish-speaking countries and is the standard legal term.
- How do you say 'scammer' in Spanish?
- The person who commits an 'estafa' is called an 'estafador' (masculine) or 'estafadora' (feminine).
- Can 'fraude' be used interchangeably with 'estafa'?
- While both relate to deception, 'fraude' tends to be used in more formal or legal contexts and can refer to broader types of fraud beyond person-to-person scams.