deceive
verb [ I or T ]
uk/dɪˈsiːv/ usto use dishonest or illegal methods to get something or to make people believe that something is true when it is not:
These were fraudulent transactions aimed at deceiving creditors and investors.
intention/intent to deceive A spokesman for the bank maintained that there had been no intent to deceive.
flatter to deceive
to seem better than it actually is:
The FTSE-100 flattered to deceive, as it broke through the 5000 barrier only to fall back again.