A fresh wave of deceit has washed over town, leaving a trail of broken wallets and shattered trust in its wake. These hustlers are pulling a new scheme that's tricking even the most street-smart locals. With slick talk, they {spinstories so convincing, victims are left feeling like they were played.

It seems like/appears to be/seems as though the city is once again falling prey to/experiencing a surge in/being targeted by confidence con artists/scammers/fraudsters. Just last week, a wealthy businessman/a local retiree/a well-known figure was swindled out of/cheated of/taken for a staggering sum