fraudulent
Based on lies
Fraudulent describes something involving deliberate deception for unfair or unlawful gain.
A fraudulent scheme tricks people out of money.
Fraudulent documents are forged or falsified.
The word applies to acts, claims, or people: fraudulent transactions, fraudulent insurance claims, a fraudulent contractor.
It carries legal weight—fraudulent conduct can be criminal.
Causing false beliefs
- dishonestInclined to deceive
- deceitfulInclined to mislead others
- falseNot matching reality
- duplicitousDeliberately deceptive in nature
disingenuous · untruthful · insincere · guileful · underhanded · sneaky · sly · crafty
Not the real thing
- forgedMade by smithing, or faked
- bogusCounterfeit or fraudulent
- phonyFraudulent person or thing
- shamFraudulent imitation
spurious · imitation · fabricated · falsified · doctored · altered · tampered · inauthentic
Fraudulent taking of entrusted assets
- forgeryCreating fraudulent imitations
- identity theftStealing personal data criminally
- tax evasionIllegally avoiding government dues
- money launderingDisguising criminal proceeds' origins
racketeering · insider trading · counterfeiting · cybercrime · Ponzi scheme · pyramid scheme · indictment · prosecution
Deception for financial gain
- conArgument against
- hoaxDeliberate deception for effect
- griftSwindle or petty fraud
- hustleEnergetic, aggressive action
flimflam · bunco · racket · rip-off · bamboozle · confidence trick · snake oil · quackery
Corrupt payment for influence
- kickbacksIllegal return payments
- extortionObtaining through threats
- graftIllicit political gain
- nepotismPreferring kin in hiring
cronyism · misappropriation · malfeasance · profiteering · shell companies · slush fund · embezzlement · kleptocracy
misleading
Causing false beliefs
duplicitous · disingenuous · untruthful · insincere · guileful · underhanded · sneaky · sly · crafty · cunning
fake
Not the real thing
sham · spurious · imitation · fabricated · falsified · doctored · altered · tampered · inauthentic · ersatz
embezzlement
Fraudulent taking of entrusted assets
- forgeryCreating fraudulent imitations
- identity theftStealing personal data criminally
- tax evasionIllegally avoiding government dues
money laundering · racketeering · insider trading · counterfeiting · cybercrime · Ponzi scheme · pyramid scheme · indictment · prosecution · conviction
swindle
Deception for financial gain
hustle · flimflam · bunco · racket · rip-off · bamboozle · confidence trick · snake oil · quackery · charlatan
bribery
Corrupt payment for influence
nepotism · cronyism · misappropriation · malfeasance · profiteering · shell companies · slush fund · embezzlement · kleptocracy · payola
- deceptionlie, lies, lying, fake, cheat
- authenticityauthentic, genuine, real, fake, counterfeit
- fakefake, phony, bogus, sham, counterfeit
- falsifiedfalsified, doctored, fabricated, fake, faked
- DanteDivine Comedy, Inferno, Dante, Paradiso, Beatrice
- reputationreputation, reputable, bad reputation, repute, disreputable
fraudulenthonest
Free from deception
truthful · honorable · honourable · upright · ethical
fraudulentlegitimate
Conforming to accepted standards
lawful · legal · valid · licit · authorized
- fraudulent claimsDishonest assertions for gain
- fraudulent transactionsDishonest financial dealings
- fraudulent schemeDeceptive plan for gain
- fraudulent votingCasting illegal ballots
- fraudulent activityDeceptive illegal conduct
- fraudulent marriageUnion entered through deception