What is fraud?

Fraud is a type of criminal activity, defined as:

'abuse of position, or false representation, or prejudicing someone's rights for personal gain'.

Put simply, fraud is an act of deception intended for personal gain or to cause a loss to another party. 

The general criminal offence of fraud can include:

• deception whereby someone knowingly makes false representation
• or they fail to disclose information
• or they abuse a position.

Fraudsters are always finding new ways to trick you out of your money.  You could find yourself targeted through emails, phone calls, letters, social networking sites or even chat rooms.  For a greater understanding of the types of fraud and how they are classified please see our taxonomy of fraud.

Example Of Fraudulent Scam Email:

princessgalias Guest

Travel London Agency UK / Fake Job Scam Fraud TRAVEL LONDON AGENCY UNITED KINGDOM Mo, Sep 23, 2013 at 12:44 PM12:44 PM Message starred REQUIREMENT FOR LEGAL TRAVEL DOCUMENT‏‏S from TRAVEL LONDON AGENCY UNITED KINGDOM to you Show Details TRAVEL LONDON AGENCY UNITED KINGDOM Greetings!!! Travel London Agency wishes to thank you for contacting us regarding the arrangement of your travelling documents to the united kingdom once again. We promise to Offer you the best which you will be glad you did. It was Indicated in your e-mail that you have been told by your host employer "MR Samson Lawrence" who asked you to contact us. We promise never to disappoint you as we have never disappointed him either. We would request that you provide us with the following so that the documentation will start immediately. We would get your Visa, Working Permit, medical insurance, tax clearance, (WRS) Worker Registration Scheme and other documents within 7 days as soon as we receive these information's from you below - Full Name: -Contact Address: -Phone Number: -Date Of Birth: -Nationality: -Scan of Your Passport Photo page: -BHC {British High Commission} Address In your Location (If available) -A Total of £800 pounds payable to our cash office, so as to enable us process the necessary Documents for the insurance for you to Travel down here to united kingdom, Flight ticket and all other necessary documents as well. All Documents will be processed and arranged here in our Office after which will be forwarded to the British High Commission for verification. Also, some Copies of this Document(s) will also be sent to you. We will like you to get back to us as soon as possible. We will begin in earnest once we receive all necessary Details. Our company address below. In anticipation of your response Yours Faithfully, The Management, Travel London Agency UK, All Rights Reserved Terms&Conditions.