Defraud is a legal term indicating a criminal act of deception to gain financially. The director was found to defraud his clients by reporting false earnings.
Pro Tip 2/3
Financial Focus
Use 'defraud' when referring to the illegal obtaining of money or property, not just lying. An accountant may defraud a firm by transferring funds into a personal account.
Pro Tip 3/3
Seriousness
'Defraud' conveys a serious offense with legal consequences, more than a simple lie. Scammers who defraud elderly people face severe legal penalties.