Fraud is a very broad term which can be loosely defined as lying (misrepresenting) in order to obtain something by trick, or gain an unfair advantage.  Fraud has many different definitions, and actually appears in Florida Statute titles 61 times.  For criminal purposes, the many different types of fraud recognized in Florida are proscribed in Chapter 817 of the Florida Statutes entitled “Fraudulent Practices.” 

More specifically, fraud is a knowing misrepresentation of the truth or a concealment of a material fact, made with the intention of inducing another to act to his or her detriment.  Fraud is oftentimes a tort, meaning it is only actionable in a civil court, however, when the misrepresentation is willful, it may be prosecuted in a criminal court.