defraud

Defraud is a verb meaning to obtain money or property from another person by intentional deception or misrepresentation. It involves an act of deceit designed to deprive someone of something of value and is illegal in most jurisdictions.

In legal contexts, defrauding refers to acts that amount to fraud, including false pretenses, misrepresentation of facts, concealment of information, or fraudulent schemes. The term is often used in statutes addressing financial crimes, consumer protection, or government programs, such as defrauding a government benefits program. Penalties may include fines, restitution, and imprisonment; civil actions may also be brought by victims to recover losses.

Defraud vs. fraud: Fraud is the broader concept or the act of deception for unlawful gain, while defraud specifically describes the act of deceiving someone to obtain money or property. Not all misrepresentation or deceit constitutes defrauding; liability generally requires intent to deceive and an unlawful purpose.

Examples of defrauding are described at a high level and include schemes that misrepresent facts to obtain funds, submitting false invoices to receive payment, or using forged documents to induce a financial transaction. Such conduct is typically treated as criminal fraud or related offenses, with varying standards and penalties across jurisdictions.

See also: Fraud, White-collar crime, Identity theft.