Con vs. Racket — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Urooj Arif — Updated on May 7, 2024
"Con" refers to an act of deceiving someone to gain money or advantage, typically involving trickery or fraud, while "racket" is an organized criminal act or business, usually recurring and aimed at illegal profit.
Difference Between Con and Racket
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A con (or confidence trick) involves deceiving an individual or group by gaining their trust and then exploiting that trust for personal gain, typically in a one-time or short-term scam. On the other hand, a racket is an organized criminal activity, often part of a structured crime group, that involves illegal business practices or extortion, generally recurring over a longer period.
Cons are usually executed by individuals or small groups targeting specific victims based on opportunity, whereas rackets are part of a larger, more systematic criminal enterprise that can affect broader communities or industries.
For example, a con might involve a scam artist posing as a bank official to solicit private financial information, while a racket could be running a protection scheme in a neighborhood, demanding payments from businesses for "security" services.
The scale and impact of rackets make them a significant focus for law enforcement agencies, reflecting organized crime's extensive networks and influence, while cons, though serious, often involve less complex legal and investigative procedures due to their more isolated and less structured nature.
Comparison Chart
Definition
Deception to gain trust and exploit it
Organized criminal business or activity
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Scope
Individual or small group involvement
Part of larger criminal organizations
Duration
Typically short-term or one-time
Long-term and recurring
Primary Objective
Immediate personal gain
Systematic profit from illegal activities
Typical Activities
Fraud, scams, trickery
Extortion, illegal enterprise, bribery
Legal Consequences
Fraud charges, fines, imprisonment
RICO Act violations, long-term imprisonment
Compare with Definitions
Con
An instance of deceiving someone for personal gain.
The artist's con involved selling fake paintings as originals.
Racket
A systematized element of organized crime.
The local gang's racket involved smuggling and selling stolen goods.
Con
A deceptive or fraudulent scheme.
The email was a con designed to steal identities.
Racket
A recurring illegal scheme.
The ticket racket made millions by scalping at high-demand events.
Con
An act of deceiving or tricking someone into a loss.
He pulled off a con by pretending to be a real estate agent.
Racket
Activities associated with extortion.
They ran a protection racket demanding money from small business owners.
Con
Trickery used to deceive others.
Using charm as his tool, his con gained him access to their savings.
Racket
An illegal business practice, especially for profit.
The insurance racket defrauded many elderly victims.
Con
To deceive someone in order to gain something of value.
She conned him out of thousands with a fake sob story.
Racket
Organized criminal enterprise involving coercion.
The loan sharking racket preyed on those desperate for cash.
Con
In opposition or disagreement; against
Debated the issue pro and con.
Racket
A bat with a round or oval frame strung with catgut, nylon, etc., used especially in tennis, badminton, and squash
A squash racket
Con
An argument or opinion against something.
Racket
A loud unpleasant noise; a din
The kids were making a racket
Con
One who holds an opposing opinion or view.
Racket
An illegal or dishonest scheme for obtaining money
A protection racket
Con
The area or structure on a vessel from which the vessel is conned.
Racket
Make or move with a loud unpleasant noise
Trains racketed by
Con
The position or authority of the officer conning a vessel.
Racket
Enjoy oneself socially; go in pursuit of pleasure or entertainment
A fabulous car for racketing around Paris
Con
A swindle.
Racket
A device consisting of an oval or circular frame with a tight interlaced network of strings and a handle, used to strike a ball or shuttlecock in various games.
Con
A convict.
Racket
A wooden paddle, as one used in table tennis.
Con
To study, peruse, or examine carefully.
Racket
A snowshoe.
Con
To learn or commit to memory.
Racket
A loud distressing noise.
Con
To direct the steering or course of (a vessel).
Racket
A dishonest or fraudulent business or practice.
Con
To swindle (a victim) by first winning the victim's confidence; dupe
A criminal who conned an unsuspecting tourist out of $5,000.
Racket
Often rackets An illegal moneymaking activity, especially one controlled by organized crime.
Con
To cause (someone) to do something by lying, misrepresentation, or trickery
My roommate conned me into washing the dishes.
Racket
An easy, profitable means of livelihood.
Con
Of, relating to, or involving a swindle or fraud
A con artist.
A con job.
Racket
(Slang) A business or occupation.
Con
(rare) To study or examine carefully, especially in order to gain knowledge of; to learn, or learn by heart.
Racket
To make or move with a loud distressing noise.
Con
To know; understand; acknowledge.
Racket
To lead an active social life.
Con
To trick or defraud, usually for personal gain.
Racket
An implement with a handle connected to a round frame strung with wire, sinew, or plastic cords, and used to hit a ball, such as in tennis or a birdie in badminton.
Con
A disadvantage of something, especially when contrasted with its advantages (pros).
Pros and cons
Racket
(Canada) A snowshoe formed of cords stretched across a long and narrow frame of light wood.
Con
(slang) A convicted criminal, a convict.
Racket
A broad wooden shoe or patten for a man or horse, to allow walking on marshy or soft ground.
Con
(informal) A fraud; something carried out with the intention of deceiving, usually for personal, often illegal, gain.
Racket
A loud noise.
Power tools work quickly, but they sure make a racket.
With all the racket they're making, I can't hear myself think!
What's all this racket?
Con
(informal) An organized gathering, such as a convention, conference, or congress.
Racket
An illegal scheme for profit; a fraud or swindle; or both coinstantiated.
Prostitution and gambling controlled by rackets
They had quite a racket devised to relieve customers of their money.
Con
(informal) The conversion of part of a building.
We're getting a loft con done next year.
Racket
A carouse; any reckless dissipation.
Con
Consumption; pulmonary tuberculosis.
Racket
Something taking place considered as exciting, trying, unusual, etc. or as an ordeal.
Con
Squirrel, particularly the red squirrel.
Racket
To strike with, or as if with, a racket.
Con
A squirrel's nest.
Racket
(intransitive) To make a clattering noise.
Con
(abbreviation) A political conservative.
Own the cons
Racket
To be dissipated; to carouse.
Con
Against the affirmative side; in opposition; on the negative side; - The antithesis of pro, and usually in connection with it. See Pro.
Racket
A thin strip of wood, having the ends brought together, forming a somewhat elliptical hoop, across which a network of catgut or cord is stretched. It is furnished with a handle, and is used for catching or striking a ball in tennis and similar games.
Each one [of the Indians] has a bat curved like a crosier, and ending in a racket.
Con
To know; to understand; to acknowledge.
Of muses, Hobbinol, I con no skill.
They say they con to heaven the highway.
Racket
A variety of the game of tennis played with peculiar long-handled rackets; - chiefly in the plural.
Con
To study in order to know; to peruse; to learn; to commit to memory; to regard studiously.
Fixedly did lookUpon the muddy waters which he connedAs if he had been reading in a book.
I did not come into Parliament to con my lesson.
Racket
A snowshoe formed of cords stretched across a long and narrow frame of light wood.
Con
To conduct, or superintend the steering of (a vessel); to watch the course of (a vessel) and direct the helmsman how to steer.
Racket
A broad wooden shoe or patten for a man or horse, to enable him to step on marshy or soft ground.
Con
An argument opposed to a proposal
Racket
Confused, clattering noise; din; noisy talk or sport.
Con
A person serving a sentence in a jail or prison
Racket
A carouse; any reckless dissipation.
Con
A swindle in which you cheat at gambling or persuade a person to buy worthless property
Racket
A scheme, dodge, trick, or the like; something taking place considered as exciting, trying, unusual, or the like; also, such occurrence considered as an ordeal; as, to work a racket; to stand upon the racket.
Con
Deprive of by deceit;
He swindled me out of my inheritance
She defrauded the customers who trusted her
The cashier gypped me when he gave me too little change
Racket
An organized illegal activity, such as illegal gambling, bootlegging, or extortion.
Con
Commit to memory; learn by heart;
Have you memorized your lines for the play yet?
Racket
To strike with, or as with, a racket.
Poor man [is] racketed from one temptation to another.
Con
On the negative side;
Much was written pro and con
Racket
To make a confused noise or racket.
Racket
To engage in noisy sport; to frolic.
Racket
To carouse or engage in dissipation.
Racket
A loud and disturbing noise
Racket
An illegal enterprise (such as extortion or fraud or drug peddling or prostitution) carried on for profit
Racket
The auditory experience of sound that lacks musical quality; sound that is a disagreeable auditory experience;
Modern music is just noise to me
Racket
A sports implement (usually consisting of a handle and an oval frame with a tightly interlaced network of strings) used to strike a ball (or shuttlecock) in various games
Racket
Celebrate noisily, often indulging in drinking; engage in uproarious festivities;
The members of the wedding party made merry all night
Let's whoop it up--the boss is gone!
Racket
Make loud and annoying noises
Racket
Hit (a ball) with a racket
Common Curiosities
Can cons become rackets?
Yes, if cons are structured and repeated systematically, they can evolve into rackets.
Are rackets always violent?
Not always, but they often involve coercion or threats, which can be violent.
What is the key difference between a con and a racket?
A con focuses on individual deception for gain, while a racket involves organized, ongoing illegal activities.
What are common types of cons?
Common types include romance scams, Ponzi schemes, and phishing attacks.
Is a con artist similar to a racketeer?
Both engage in illegal activities, but racketeers usually operate within and for organized crime groups.
How do rackets impact communities?
Rackets can undermine local economies, instill fear in communities, and corrupt public institutions.
How do law enforcement agencies combat rackets?
Agencies use laws like the RICO Act to dismantle the broader criminal organizations behind rackets.
What makes a racket more serious than a con?
The organized nature and potential for broader societal harm make rackets more serious.
How do victims recover from being conned or involved in a racket?
Recovery can involve legal action, financial restitution, and in some cases, counseling.
Are there preventive measures against cons and rackets?
Education, community awareness, and robust legal frameworks are key preventive measures.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
