A deliberate deception about a person or thing that is not what is claimed. It is usually practised in order to secure unfair or unlawful gain. Legally speaking, fraud is the crime of obtaining money by deceiving people.
Fraud is often very elaborate and complex. Fraud is similar to hoaxes as is conspiracy. Conspiracy is collaborative fraudulent activities. Even the planning of such activities against some governments is illegal.
For reporting and recording instances of online fraud: Fraud.org as well as The Business Bureau (American-centric websites)
Examples
- fake credit card giving access to ISP accounts
- gain access to restricted web sites
- pretend email and fake websites
- other assorted hoaxes against newbies
Notable Frauds
- Ernst Haeckel
- Peter Foster
Related types of fraud
TakeDown.NET -> “Fraud”