What best describes a 'scam'?

A 'scam' is best described as a fraudulent scheme for profit because it involves deceitful practices designed to trick individuals or organizations out of their money or personal information. Scams are characterized by their intent to defraud, often using false representations or misleads to lure victims into a situation where they lose their resources. Unlike charitable donations, genuine investments, or legal business transactions, which are honest and intended to benefit either the giver or both parties involved, a scam is fundamentally rooted in dishonesty and exploitation for the perpetrator's gain.