Fraud is generally defined as an intentional deception made for personal gain or to damage another individual. It involves misrepresentation of the truth or concealment of facts to persuade another party to act in a way that results in harm or loss. Fraud can take many forms, including financial fraud, identity theft, and various types of scams.
Lying on a CV (curriculum vitae) can be considered a form of fraud because it involves providing false information to mislead potential employers. When an individual embellishes or falsifies qualifications, work experience, skills, or achievements on their CV, they are intentionally deceiving the employer. This misrepresentation is done with the aim of securing a job or gaining a position that they are not entitled to based on their actual qualifications.
The implications of lying on a CV can be significant:
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Deception: The candidate misleads the employer, breaking the trust that is essential in any professional relationship.
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Gain: By providing false information, the candidate seeks to enhance their chances of being hired, thus obtaining benefits such as salary, job security, and professional advancement that they may not have earned.
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Harm: If an employer hires someone based on false credentials, it can lead to poor performance, financial loss, or reputational damage for the organization.
In many jurisdictions, especially with the increasing focus on corporate ethics and compliance, such misrepresentation can be legally actionable. Employers may have policies against dishonesty in hiring, and if discovered, it can lead to termination, legal action, and damage to the individual's professional reputation.