indimi

tapeli

tah-PEH-lee

How to say it

Swahilitapelitah-PEH-leesoon
Englishswindler, con man, fraudstersoon
Frenchescroc, arnaqueursoon

Meaning

A person who cheats others out of money or property by tricks and lies.

Good to know

Plural matapeli: jihadhari na matapeli, beware of con men. The verb is kutapeli, to swindle, and the practice utapeli.

Examples

  • Tapeli huyo alijifanya afisa wa ardhi.That con man posed as a land officer.
  • Polisi wamewakamata matapeli watatu wa mtandaoni.The police have arrested three online fraudsters.
  • Usimpe tapeli namba yako ya siri.Do not give a swindler your PIN.

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