What does the term "false pretenses" refer to?

The term "false pretenses" specifically pertains to the act of obtaining property through a false representation that the person making the representation knows to be untrue. This means that the individual intentionally deceives the owner by making a misleading statement or claim to induce the owner to part with their property. The key aspect is that the representation is both false and known to be false by the person making it, which is crucial for the establishment of criminal liability under laws regarding theft and fraud.

In contrast, obtaining property through coercion or without the owner's knowledge pertains to different criminal concepts, such as extortion or theft, rather than false pretenses. Similarly, stealing property while the owner is unaware does not involve the element of misrepresentation or deceit that is central to false pretenses, making it a separate criminal act. Thus, the correct answer accurately reflects the legal definition and elements involved in the crime of obtaining property by false pretenses.