there is a scammer epidemic

make something look convincing

to use particular details, evidence or presentation to make a story, image, excuse or situation seem believable and realistic. The thing may still be fake, but it appears genuine.

The fake booking page copied the hotel’s logo, reviews and colour scheme to m___ it look c______.

fool someone into thinking that…

to deceive or mislead someone so that they believe something that is not true. It usually suggests that the false impression was created deliberately.

The edited payment screenshots f____hundreds of applicants into th_____ that the remote job was legitimate.

something doesn’t add up

used when different facts or details do not fit together logically, making you suspect that some information is missing, incorrect or deliberately hidden. It expresses suspicion but does not necessarily prove that someone is lying.

She says the review is unpaid, but every link is an affiliate link. Something doesn’t a__ u_.

pretend to be

to behave or present yourself as if you are a particular person or have a particular identity, role or profession when this is not actually true. It can be harmless, such as in a game, or deliberately deceptive.

He p____ to be a casting agent and contacted aspiring models through Instagram.

call someone out / get called out for something

to openly challenge, criticise or expose someone because their behaviour is dishonest, unfair or unacceptable.

A former employee c____ the company o__for using fake customer reviews.

come clean about something

to finally admit the truth about something that you previously hid, denied or lied about. It is normally used when people have already become suspicious or when keeping the secret is no longer possible.

After weeks of denying it, the creator c___ c___ about buying followers before launching her business course.