Final answer:
Fraud is a deliberate violation designed to deceive others, and includes a range of activities such as identity theft, which has significant consequences for individuals and societal trust.
Step-by-step explanation:
Fraud is an intentional act, omission, or violation of trust designed to deceive others, resulting in the victim suffering a loss and/or the perpetrator achieving a gain. This deceptive action can encompass a range of activities including plagiarism, cheating, misrepresentation of facts, and aiding in such activities. Moreover, fraud also includes the serious offense of identity theft, also known as 'True-name Fraud,' where the violators illegally obtain and use a person’s personal identification information without permission for their own gain, often leading to substantial financial losses for the victim.
Beyond the direct impact on individuals, fraud undermines the trust in institutions such as banks, hospitals, and government, having a ripple effect throughout society. Additionally, some individuals attempt to justify fraudulent behavior by appealing to a supposed higher authority or greater good, although this does not negate the unethical nature of their actions. Meanwhile, societal debate continues regarding what constitutes a victimless crime, with the understanding that even actions considered victimless may carry broader societal implications.