under false pretenses
With a false impression created through intentional misrepresentation. I'm afraid you were brought here under false pretenses. I'm not your long-lost brother. You may not have lied directly, but you sold him those paintings under false pretenses—he thinks they're originals!
by false pretenses
By or under a false impression created through intentional misrepresentation. I'm afraid you were brought here by false pretenses. I'm not your long-lost brother. You may not have lied directly, but you sold him those paintings by false pretenses—he thinks they're originals!
on false pretenses
By or under a false impression created through intentional misrepresentation. I'm afraid you were brought here on false pretenses. I'm not your long-lost brother. You may not have lied directly, but you sold him those paintings on false pretenses—he thinks they're originals!