FALSE PRETENSES

false pretenses.The crime of knowingly obtaining title to another’s personal property by

misrepresenting a fact with the intent to defraud. • Although unknown to English common law,

false pretenses became a misdemeanor under a statute old enough to make it common law in the

United States. Modern American statutes make it either a felony or a misdemeanor, depending on

how valuable the property is. — Also termed obtaining property by false pretenses; fraudulent

pretenses. Cf. larceny by trick under LARCENY; EMBEZZLEMENT. [Cases: False Pretenses

1.][Blacks Law 8th]