estafa
“estafa” means “scam” in Spanish (General term for deception).
scam, fraud
Also: swindle, hoax
📝 In Action
La policía está investigando una estafa por internet que afectó a muchos ancianos.
B1The police are investigating an internet scam that affected many elderly people.
Fui víctima de una estafa telefónica y perdí cien euros.
A2I was the victim of a telephone scam and lost one hundred euros.
El banco advierte a sus clientes sobre posibles estafas con tarjetas de crédito.
B2The bank warns its clients about possible credit card fraud.
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: estafa
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses the word 'estafa'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
The word likely comes from the old Germanic word *staff*, meaning 'staff' or 'stick,' which evolved in Italian or Catalan to mean 'to trick' or 'to cheat,' perhaps implying the use of a hidden stick or trickery to deceive someone.
First recorded: 15th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'estafa' and 'engaño'?
'Estafa' specifically refers to a deception, usually complex, where the main goal is to steal money or property. 'Engaño' is a much broader term for any kind of lie or deception, regardless of whether money is involved.
How do I describe the person who commits an 'estafa'?
You call them an 'estafador' (masculine) or 'estafadora' (feminine). This refers to the swindler or fraudster.