Distinction between Cheating, Breach of Contract and Mischief are as follows:
1) Cheating is defined in Section 415 (See Sec. 415) while mischief is defined in Section 425 (See Sec. 425).
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2) In cheating, the wrong-doer deceives a person fraudulently or dishonestly and induces the person deceived, and obtains the property while in mischief, the accused causes wrongful loss or damage to the public or to any person.
3) By cheating, individual persons and properties are affected whereas, by mischief, public and private properties are affected.
4) In cheating the aim of the wrong-doer is to have the property by deceitful and fraudulent means, and to enjoy it. But, in mischief, the accused does not want to have the property or to enjoy it. All he wants is to cause injury to the public or any person, or to destroy the property.
5) In cheating, the wrong-doer enjoys the property obtained by receipt whereas in mischief the wrong-doer causes destruction of the property.
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6) In cheating, after the property passed into the hands of the wrong-doer, he may do effort for enhancing the value of it, and improve it. But, in mischief, the wrong doer causes wrongful loss and/or destruction to the property. Hence the value of the property is decreased.
7) Punishment for cheating is imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to one year or fine or both while punishment for mischief is imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three months, or with fine, or with both.