Fraudes

Fraudes, or frauds, denote deliberate acts of deception designed to obtain money, property, or services by misleading another party. In many legal and accounting contexts, fraud requires four elements: a false representation or concealment, knowledge of its falsity or reckless disregard for the truth, intent to induce reliance, and resulting loss or damage.

Fraud takes many forms. Financial statement fraud involves misstating the financial position of an entity. Securities fraud misleads investors about the value or performance of assets. Consumer fraud includes overbilling, misrepresentation of goods, and scams against individuals. Procurement and tax fraud cover kickbacks, false invoicing, and evasion. Digital fraud has grown with online activity and includes phishing, credential theft, card-not-present fraud, and ransomware.

Prevention and detection rely on strong internal controls, segregation of duties, independent audits, and robust compliance programs. Organizations use risk assessments, whistleblower channels, and data analytics to identify suspicious patterns. Legal frameworks typically treat fraud as a crime or civil tort, with penalties ranging from fines to imprisonment and with corporate liability for governance failures.

Fraud has wide social and economic costs, eroding trust in institutions and prompting reforms in accounting, regulation, and public procurement. International cooperation and ongoing research in fraud detection continue to shape best practices for individuals, businesses, and governments.