The term 'crafty manipulator' can be summarized as a person who is skilled at manipulating situations to their advantage. This term is often used to describe someone who is cunning and sly, using their intelligence and wit to get what they want. The term 'Svengali' (8 letters) is often used to refer to this type of person, as it is a character from George du Maurier's novel Trilby who is known for his manipulative behavior.