How can an online scam be described?

An online scam can be accurately described as a deceptive act intended to defraud individuals, often involving false representations. Scams typically aim to mislead people into giving up personal or financial information, making purchases, or engaging in actions that would lead to financial loss. They can take various forms, such as phishing emails, fraudulent websites, or fake offers that seem legitimate but are intended to trick individuals. This highlights the malintent behind the scam, where the objective is to exploit trust and gather sensitive information without the victim's consent. In contrast, the other choices represent legitimate business activities, promotional strategies, or technical issues that do not involve deceit or the intent to defraud.