Crooks are individuals who engage in unethical or unlawful activities for financial gain. However, there are a variety of synonyms for the word that imply different levels of severity. Squatters, for example, typically refer to those who illegally occupy vacant or abandoned properties. Swindlers and fraudsters, on the other hand, connive and cheat others out of their money or property through deceitful means. Pickpockets and thieves are more physically active crooks, stealing belongings or valuables from people. Finally, embezzlers and thieves operate within companies or institutions and steal or misappropriate funds or assets. While all of these terms describe individuals engaged in unethical activities, they do not necessarily carry the same weight or meaning.