Indian Penal Code, 1860
415. Cheating
Whoever, by deceiving any person, fraudulently or dishonestly
induces the person so deceived to deliver any property to any person, or to
consent that any person shall retain any property, or intentionally induces the
person so deceived to do or omit to do anything which he would not do or omit
if he were not so deceived, and which act or omission causes or is likely to
cause damage or harm to that person in body, mind, reputation or property, is
said to "cheat".
Explanation- A dishonest concealment of facts is a
deception within the meaning of this section.
Illustrations
(a) A, by falsely pretending to be in the Civil Service,
intentionally deceives Z, and thus dishonestly induces Z to let him have on
credit goods for which he does not mean to pay. A cheats.
(b) A, by putting a counterfeit mark on an article,
intentionally deceives Z into a belief that this article was made by a certain celebrated
manufacturer, and thus dishonestly induces Z to buy and pay for the article. A
cheats.
(c) A, by exhibiting to Z a false sample of an article,
intentionally deceives Z into believing. that the article corresponds with the
sample, and thereby, dishonestly induces Z to buy and pay for the article. A
cheats.
(d) A, by tendering in payment for an article a bill on a house
with which A keeps on money, and by which A expects that the bill will be
dishonored, intentionally deceives Z, and thereby dishonestly induces Z to
deliver the article, intending not to pay for it. A cheats.
(c) A, by pledging as diamonds article which he knows are not
diamonds, intentionally deceives Z, and thereby dishonestly induces Z to lend
money. A cheats.
(f) A intentionally deceives Z into a belief that A means to
repay any money that Z may led to him and thereby dishonestly induces Z to lend
him money. A not intending to repay it. A cheats.
(g) A intentionally deceives Z into a belief that A means to
deliver to Z a certain quantity of indigo plant which he does not intend to
deliver, and thereby dishonestly induces Z to advance money upon the faith of
such delivery. A cheats; but if A, at the time of obtaining the money, intends
to deliver the indigo plant, and afterwards breaks his contract and does not
deliver it, he does not cheat, but is liable only to a civil action for breach
of contract.
(h) A intentionally deceives Z into a belief that A has
performed A’s part of a contract made with Z, which he has not performed, and thereby
dishonestly induces Z to pay money. A cheats.
(i) A sells and conveys an estate to B. A, knowing that in
consequence of such sale he has no right to the property, sells or mortgages the
same to Z, without disclosing the fact of the previous sale and conveyance to
B, and receives the purchase or mortgage money for Z. A cheats.