Fraud

=== Civil law ===
In common law jurisdictions, as a civil wrong, fraud is a [[tort]]. While the precise definitions and requirements of proof vary among jurisdictions, the requisite elements of fraud as a tort generally are the intentional misrepresentation or concealment of an important fact upon which the victim is meant to rely, and in fact does rely, to the harm of the victim.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.justia.com/trials-litigation/docs/caci/1900/1900.html |title=California Civil Jury Instructions: 1900. Intentional Misrepresentation |publisher=Judicial Council of California |access-date=27 December 2013 |archive-date=28 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131228102855/http://www.justia.com/trials-litigation/docs/caci/1900/1900.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Proving fraud in a court of law is often said to be difficult as the intention to defraud is the key element in question.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Difficulty of Proving Financial Crimes|url=https://dealbook.nytimes.com/2010/12/13/the-difficulty-of-proving-financial-crimes/|last=Henning|first=Peter J.|date=13 December 2020|website=DealBook|language=en|access-date=23 May 2020|archive-date=1 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200801155236/https://dealbook.nytimes.com/2010/12/13/the-difficulty-of-proving-financial-crimes/|url-status=live}}</ref> As such, proving fraud comes with a "greater evidentiary burden than other civil claims". This difficulty is exacerbated by the fact that some jurisdictions require the victim to prove fraud by [[clear and convincing evidence]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Fraud Litigation in Pennsylvania|url=https://www.stradley.com/-/media/files/resourceslanding/publications/1993/03/fraud-litigation-in-pennsylvania/files/prk-fraud/fileattachment/prk-fraud.pdf|last=Long, Cameron|first=Louis C., Robert W.|date=1993|website=Stradley|access-date=23 May 2020|archive-date=31 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200731211726/https://www.stradley.com/-/media/files/resourceslanding/publications/1993/03/fraud-litigation-in-pennsylvania/files/prk-fraud/fileattachment/prk-fraud.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

The remedies for fraud may include [[Rescission (contract law)|rescission]] (i.e., reversal) of a fraudulently obtained agreement or transaction, the recovery of a monetary award to compensate for the harm caused, [[punitive damages]] to punish or deter the misconduct, and possibly others.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Equitable Remedy of Rescission: A Tool to Defeat Fraud - Insurance Law - Insurance Law - LexisNexis® Legal Newsroom|url=https://www.lexisnexis.com/legalnewsroom/insurance/b/insurancelaw/posts/the-equitable-remedy-of-rescission-a-tool-to-defeat-fraud|website=www.lexisnexis.com|language=en|access-date=23 May 2020|archive-date=1 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200801020015/https://www.lexisnexis.com/legalnewsroom/insurance/b/insurancelaw/posts/the-equitable-remedy-of-rescission-a-tool-to-defeat-fraud|url-status=live}}</ref>

In cases of a fraudulently induced contract, fraud may serve as a [[Defense (legal)|defense]] in a [[civil action]] for [[breach of contract]] or [[specific performance]] of [[contract]]. Similarly, fraud may serve as a basis for a court to invoke its [[equitable jurisdiction]].