pettus (patoos) -noun

  1. deceit, trickery, sharp practice, or breach of confidence, perpetrated for profit or to gain some unfair or dishonest advantage.
  2. a partciular instance of such deceit or trickery.
  3. any deception, trickery, or humbug.
  4. a person who makes deceitful pretenses; sham; poseur.

Source: fraud.(n.d.)Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1). Dictionary.com