Cryptic crossword clue
Punishes fraud joints duping millions 8

The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word CONDEMNS

C
O
N
D
E
M
N
S

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The straight part
We know that "Punishes" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case punishes = condemns.
The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.
This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.

What does CONDEMNS mean?

CONDEMNS verb
  1. To strongly criticise or denounce; to excoriate the perpetrators of.
  2. To judicially pronounce (someone) guilty.
  3. To confer eternal divine punishment upon.
  4. To adjudge (a building) as being unfit for habitation.
  5. To adjudge (building or construction work) as of unsatisfactory quality, requiring the work to be redone.
  6. To adjudge (food or drink) as being unfit for human consumption.
  7. To determine and declare (property) to be assigned to public use. See eminent domain.
  8. To declare (a vessel) to be forfeited to the government, to be a prize, or to be unfit for service.

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