What term describes intentional misleading or deceitful conduct that deprives the government of its resources?

Fraud is defined as intentional misleading or deceitful conduct aimed at depriving the government of its resources. This term encompasses various forms of deception, such as falsifying information, submitting false claims, or engaging in collusion to gain an unfair advantage or financial benefit from government resources. The intent behind fraud lies in the deliberate action to mislead, which distinguishes it from other forms of misconduct.

In contrast, misconduct is a broader term that refers to any inappropriate or unethical behavior, which does not necessarily have to involve deceit. Corruption generally refers to acts that abuse power for personal gain, but it may not always involve the direct deception of resources or services. Negligence involves a failure to exercise appropriate care, which could result in unintentional harm or loss but does not involve deliberate deceit. Therefore, fraud is the most accurate term for behavior that specifically refers to deceitful actions that deceive the government and lead to the loss of resources.