Which of the following best defines straw buying?

Straw buying is best defined as engaging third parties to hide the true buyer's identity. This practice typically involves a person acting as a proxy for another buyer who does not wish to reveal their identity or who might not qualify for financing on their own. The third party – the "straw buyer" – usually purchases the property in their name but has an agreement with the actual buyer regarding the real ownership and terms of the sale. This method can be used for various reasons, including circumventing regulations or obtaining financing that the true buyer might not be eligible for.

In contrast, using disguises to purchase properties does not capture the essence of straw buying, as it implies a physical alteration in appearance rather than the concealment of identity through legal means. Providing false income statements to lenders focuses more on falsifying financial information rather than the identity aspect inherent in straw buying. Acquiring properties under different corporate names, while potentially related to hidden ownership, does not specifically address the use of a third party to mask the true identity of the buyer, which is central to the definition of straw buying.