The crime involving the creation of fake emails resembling legitimate businesses is called?

Phishing is the correct term for the crime involving the creation of fake emails that resemble those from legitimate businesses. This fraudulent practice is designed to deceive individuals into disclosing sensitive information, such as usernames, passwords, or financial details, under the guise of a trustworthy entity. Phishing attacks often exploit social engineering techniques to create urgency or fear, prompting victims to click on malicious links or attachments.

This specific tactic targets users by mimicking established brands or organizations, leading them to believe they are engaging with a bona fide source. By creating a sense of legitimacy, the fraudulent emails increase the likelihood of successful data extraction from unsuspecting individuals.

Other options are related to different types of fraudulent activities but do not specifically refer to the act of impersonating legitimate businesses through deceptive emails. For instance, a Trojan horse refers to malicious software disguised as legitimate software, skimming involves capturing credit card information at point-of-sale devices, and pretext calling refers to creating a fabricated scenario during phone calls to extract private information. These concepts, while relevant in the realm of fraud and cybersecurity, do not encapsulate the definition of phishing.