Fraud

For other uses, see Fraud (disambiguation).

"Phony" and "Phonies" redirect here. For the Vocaloid song, see Phony (song). For the band, see The Phonies.

A fake automated teller slot used to commit bank fraud upon bank patrons

In law, fraud is intentional deception to deprive a victim of a legal right or to gain from a victim unlawfully or unfairly. Fraud can violate civil law (e.g., a fraud victim may sue the fraud perpetrator to thwart the fraud or recover monetary compensation) or criminal law (e.g., a fraud perpetrator may be prosecuted and imprisoned by governmental authorities), or it may be an element of another civil or criminal wrong despite itself causing no loss of money, property, or legal right. The purpose of fraud may be monetary gain or other benefits, such as obtaining a passport, travel document, or driver's licence.