c. 266, § 73
Obtaining goods under false pretences
Official text prohibited actmental stateif conditionpenaltylegal term
Whoever, with intent to defraud, by a false pretence of carrying on business and dealing in the ordinary course of trade, obtains from any person goods or chattels shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for not more than five years or by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars and imprisonment in jail for not more than two years.
Simplified explanation
Obtaining goods by falsely pretending to carry on a business in the ordinary course of trade, with intent to defraud, is punishable by up to 5 years in state prison.