fraud
noun
uk/frɔːd/ us [ C or U ] LAW
the crime of getting money by tricking or deceiving people, or a crime of this type:
serious/massive fraud We only investigate when there are sufficient grounds for believing serious fraud has taken place.
The US Sentencing Commission has raised penalties for corporate fraud twice.
credit card/tax fraud He was charged for federal tax fraud.
bank/accounting fraud She pleaded guilty to conspiracy and bank fraud.
engage in/commit/perpetrate fraud It is said that they knowingly helped corporate executives commit fraud.
a fraud investigation/case/trial
[ C ]
something that is not what it appears to be and is deliberately used to deceive people, especially to get money:
What happens if the investment turns out to be a fraud?
[ C ]
someone who deceives people, often to get money, by saying they are something they are not:
She believes her lawyer was a fraud.
See also
investment fraud