Legal Definitions - grift

The term grift refers to the act of obtaining money or valuables through dishonest or fraudulent means, often involving clever deception, a scam, or a confidence trick. It implies a skillful manipulation of others to illicitly gain financial benefit. The person who engages in such activities is known as a grifter.

Here are some examples to illustrate this concept:

• Example 1: The Fake Charity Drive

  A person creates a convincing social media campaign, complete with professional-looking graphics and heartfelt stories, claiming to raise funds for a non-existent animal shelter. They solicit donations from the public, promising that all proceeds will go towards rescuing and caring for abandoned pets. However, the money collected is never used for any charitable purpose and is instead kept by the organizer for personal use.

  This illustrates grifting because the organizer illicitly obtained money from well-meaning individuals by using a deceptive scam (the fake charity) to exploit their generosity.

• Example 2: The Phony Online Service

  An individual sets up a sophisticated website offering "guaranteed credit repair" services for an upfront fee. They promise to dramatically improve customers' credit scores within a short period, requiring personal financial information and payment. After receiving the fees and sensitive data, the individual provides no actual service, fails to respond to inquiries, and eventually shuts down the website, disappearing with the collected money.

  This is an example of grifting as the individual fraudulently acquired money from customers through a deceptive online service scheme, promising results that were never intended to be delivered.

• Example 3: The Bogus Investment Opportunity

  A charismatic individual approaches several acquaintances, convincing them to invest in a "secret, high-yield real estate development" that promises returns far exceeding market rates. They present fabricated documents, including fake blueprints and forged partnership agreements, to lend credibility to the scheme. Investors hand over significant sums of money, only to discover later that no such development exists, and the "investor" has vanished with their funds.

  This demonstrates grifting because the individual illicitly obtained money from others by employing a confidence game and fraudulent representations about a non-existent investment opportunity.