Fraud
Fraud is a broad term that includes false representations, dishonesty, or deceit. It may be addressed through civil claims or criminal statutes, which have different rules. Federal wire fraud involves a scheme to obtain money or property through false pretenses using wire communications; it does not require economic loss.
Fraud is a broad term that includes false representations, dishonesty, or deceit. It may be addressed through civil claims or criminal statutes, which have different rules. Federal wire fraud involves a scheme to obtain money or property through false pretenses using wire communications; it does not require economic loss.
Example: In Kousisis v. United States, Alpha’s bids represented that it would buy painting supplies from a disadvantaged-business-enterprise supplier, but the supplier functioned as a pass-through. In May 2025, the Supreme Court upheld the wire-fraud convictions even though the agencies suffered no economic loss.
Common misconception: A specific misconception is that federal wire fraud always requires the victim to lose money. In May 2025, the Supreme Court held that economic loss is not required, though the case concerned a scheme to obtain money or property through materially false pretenses.
Sources: 1007. Fraud | United States Department of Justice; Kousisis v. United States and the Reach of Federal Fraud Statutes | Congress.gov