false pretences

British  

plural noun

1. criminal law a former name for deception See obtaining by deception

2. a similar misrepresentation used to obtain anything, such as trust or affection (esp in the phrase under false pretences )

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Example Sentences

Some 55 Ghanaians have been killed while fighting in Ukraine, the country's foreign minister said on Friday, promising a crackdown on illicit recruitment schemes luring citizens to Russia under false pretences.

From Barron's • Feb. 27, 2026

He is also suspected of obtaining under false pretences the Vienna address of Bulgarian journalist Christo Grozev.

From BBC • Apr. 17, 2024

The watchdog has set out mandatory reimbursements in cases of APP fraud when consumers or individuals at a business send money under false pretences to a bank account controlled by fraudsters.

From Reuters • Jun. 7, 2023

Jurors have heard Mrs Bukhari, 47, and her daughter plotted with six others, driving from their home in Stoke-on-Trent to Leicester and arranging to meet Mr Hussain in a Tesco car park under false pretences.

From BBC • May 22, 2023

I feel ill at ease with them, as if I am here under false pretences.

From "Cat's Eye" by Margaret Atwood