What is the term for actions intended to deceive or trick someone?

The term "fraud" specifically refers to a wrongful or criminal deception intended to result in financial or personal gain. It encompasses a range of actions that can be both legal and illegal, aiming primarily to mislead someone to their detriment and benefit the fraudster. When someone commits fraud, they typically use false representations, lies, or willful misrepresentations to manipulate another person into acting based on incorrect information. This aligns closely with various legal definitions and the contexts in which deceitful actions take place, highlighting the intentional nature behind such acts.

While "deception," "hypocrisy," and "scam" are related to misleading actions, they do not capture the legal implications and structured wrongdoing associated with "fraud." Deception refers broadly to misleading someone but does not always imply malicious or illegal intent. Hypocrisy involves displaying characteristics or beliefs contradictory to one’s actions, lacking the financial motive. A scam typically denotes a particular type of fraud, often involving a scheme or con that is designed to trick someone, but does not encompass all forms of deceit. Thus, fraud as a term represents a comprehensive category of deceitful actions with legal significance, making it the most appropriate choice in this context.