False Pretense Versus Larceny by Trick

According to Merriam Webster's Dictionary of Law false pretenses are "false representations concerning past or present facts that are made with the intent to defraud another; also: the crime of obtaining title to another's property by false pretenses" (Webster, 1996). The accused must know that statements made are false, whereas the victim believes them to be true. A victim's property must be given to the accused relying on the misrepresentation and must be to the detriment of the victim and the benefit of the accused. Merriam Webster's Dictionary of Law defines larceny by trick as "lar…