What does "pious fraud" mean?

An act of innocent deceit, technically using the methods of a fraudster but for an honest, honorable purpose.

What is a synonym for "pious fraud"?

Common synonyms include: canter, formalist, hypocrite, pharisee, poser, ranter.

noun

noun ·Rare ·Advanced level

Noun

1
An act of innocent deceit, technically using the methods of a fraudster but for an honest, honorable purpose. countable, uncountable
"White lies are verbal cases of pious fraud."
2
A person involved in such a fraud. countable, uncountable

"White lies are verbal cases of pious fraud."

Calque of Latin pia fraus.