Deal that's too good to be true, often

SCAM

["Here’s a helpful hint for your crossword clue:\n\n**\"Fraudulent scheme, in short\"**\n\nThis hint keeps the solver on the right track by focusing on the nature of the answer (a type of deception) while using \"in short\" to suggest it's an abbreviated or concise term. It’s easier than the original clue but still requires some thought to arrive at \"SCAM.\""]

The clue "Deal that's too good to be true, often" leads to the answer "SCAM" through a straightforward definition. The phrase "too good to be true" is commonly used to describe something that seems extremely appealing or advantageous but is likely to be false or deceitful. In many cases, deals that seem too good to be true are actually scams, which are fraudulent schemes designed to trick people out of money or other valuables. Therefore, the clue directly points to the answer "SCAM" by defining what such a deal often turns out to be.