[3] Its specific name fraudator means "cheat" or "deceiver" and refers to its resemblance with Gastrotheca marsupiata.

Adult males in the type series (two individuals) measure about 28 mm (1.1 in) in snout–vent length (SVL).

[2][4] Its natural habitat is cloud forest of the Yungas at elevations of 2,000–3,000 m (6,600–9,800 ft) above sea level.

It is nocturnal and mostly terrestrial, but some individuals can be active in brushwoods, bushes, and ferns, or on the ground during the day.

[1] Yunganastes fraudator is a reasonably common frog although it is locally suffering from habitat loss.