Illegally siphon funds

SKIMOFFTHETOP

Think of a dishonest way to take a small, hidden cut from earnings before they're recorded, often seen in cash-heavy businesses. The answer is a common phrase that describes this sneaky practice.

"Skim off the top" is a common phrase for secretly taking money from a business or transaction before it’s recorded, which fits the clue’s meaning of illegally siphoning funds. The answer is written as one word without spaces, which is typical for crossword puzzles where phrases are condensed. The term plays on the literal idea of removing cream (or money) from the surface, making it both a financial crime reference and a vivid metaphor."