A sting operation, also known as an undercover operation, is a type of law enforcement activity in which the police use deception to catch criminals. The term 'sting operation' comes from the idea of using bait to lure a criminal into a TRAP. In this case, the crossword solutions for the term 'sting operation' are TRAP (4 letters), SCAM (4 letters), CON (3 letters), SETUP (5 letters), and THEPOLICE (9 letters). A TRAP is a device or situation designed to catch someone unawares, while a SCAM is a fraudulent scheme. A CON is a confidence game, and a setup is a plan or arrangement for achieving a desired result. Finally, THEPOLICE refers to the law enforcement agency responsible for carrying out the sting operation.