reprehensible - Describing behavior, actions, or conduct that is morally wrong and worthy of disapproval or condemnation.
Though he told people not to repeat it, it was reprehensible for him to spread rumors about his colleague, knowing it would damage her reputation.
scheme - A large-scale systematic plan or arrangement for attaining some particular object or putting a particular idea into effect, often through deceptive means
It's better to be honest and work hard, and not spend too much time devising or falling for schemes that are tempting shortcuts to making money.