Green’s Dictionary of Slang

to deceive, esp. by faking an illness.

1859		Hotten Dict. of Modern Sl. etc. 50: HOOK-UM-SNIVEY (formerly ‘hook and snivey,’) a low expression meaning to cheat by feigning sickness or other means.
1864, 1867, 1870		Hotten Sl. Dict. [as cit. 1859].
1895		Crowe Aus. Sl. Dict. 37: Hook-um Snivey, to cheat by feigning sickness.