Oszukacz

Oszukacz is a Polish informal noun referring to a person who deceives others to obtain money or advantages. It is formed from the verb oszukiwać (to cheat) with the agentive suffix -acz, producing a meaning akin to "cheater" or "trickster." In everyday language it is less formal than oszust (swindler) or naciągacz (conman).

Usage and scope: An oszukacz may engage in a wide range of deceptive acts, from petty scams to elaborate frauds, such as misleading sales, phishing, counterfeit documents, or fake investment schemes. The term is common in media reporting and colloquial speech when a deception has been exposed; it is not a legal term.

Legal context: In Polish law the act corresponding to the behavior of an oszukacz is oszustwo (fraud). A person who commits oszustwo can face penalties under the Penal Code, with severity depending on the amount obtained, the means used, and other circumstances. The word oszukacz itself is not a formal designation in criminal proceedings.

Related terms and usage: O szukacz is often used together with or as a substitute for oszust, naciągacz, or kanciarz in news, blogs, and everyday language to condemn scams or deceptive practices. It remains primarily a colloquial label rather than a precise legal category.