ABSTRACT
Fraud has increased dramatically in the past decade, as has the concern at its pervasiveness in the public and private sectors. Whether for cultural or other reasons, fraud now is a crime that is as associated with millionaires as it is with those on benefit. In value terms it represents a significant part of the cost of crime today. This chapter takes an overview of the growth of fraud, and the circumstances in which fraud may be committed. Changing attitudes to honesty, different types of fraud in the public and private sectors and who investigates it, are explored. What are the legal and other problems involved, and what have been the institutional and other means dedicated to its prevention, investigation, detection and prosecution?
