Describe the crime of false pretenses and name and define four crimes similar to false pretenses that were discussed in the textbook.

False pretenses is the crime of obtaining title to property of another by making materially false representations of an existing fact with knowledge of their falsity and with the intent to defraud. The victim voluntarily transfers the property to the thief. Other specialized crimes that are similar to false pretenses include mail, wire, and bank fraud, as well as securities fraud. Mail fraud, unlike the crime of false pretenses, does not require the victim to be actually defrauded; it simply requires the defendant to use the mails or private carrier to carry out a scheme that attempts to defraud others. The wire fraud statute prohibits the transmittal by wire, radio, or television in interstate or foreign commerce of any information with the intent to defraud. The federal bank fraud statute makes it a crime to knowingly execute or attempt to execute a scheme to defraud a financial institution or to obtain by false pretenses funds under the control or custody of a financial institution. Securities fraud involves using false statements or omissions of material facts when attempting to sell stocks, bonds, or other types of securities.