Meaning of れんきんじゅつ in Japanese

現代の日本で錬金術といえば、比喩的にしか使われない。モラルや羞恥心と無縁の政治屋や宗教家が、不正な手段でカネもうけをするときに。
In present day Japan, "alchemy" is only used metaphorically; to refer to improper means of making money by politicians or religious hucksters with no morals or shame.