Fraud is a false representation of a past or existing fact， which is made to induce action on someone's part. If， in fact， a person reasonably relies upon this false representation， and that person is damaged by the fraud， than he or she may sue to recover damages. Should the representation have been made with the knowledge that it was false， and then punitive¹ damages may be recovered. Fraud may also be involved when a person promises to do something in the future and does not follow through. To show fraud in this type of situation， it would have to be shown that the person never intended to do the act that was promised. The most common contract is when two parties promise to do something. It is a contract because each promise is based on the other's promise to pay or perform a service. Except for common day-to-day occurrences， it is always a good idea to have your contract in writing. Should a contract be broken， and you are successful in court， the law allows for the recovery of attorney's fees only if you provide for this in the contract or an applicable statute² allows it. For more information about breach³ of contract， please consult an attorney.

　　翻译：

　　欺诈是对过去或存在的事实的一种虚假陈述，诱使他人作出行动。事实上，如果某人因信赖这一虚假陈述而受到损失，他可以通过诉讼获得赔偿。所做陈述只要认定属于欺诈，则可获得高额赔偿。如果某人许诺将来要做某事而实际上没有善始善终，也属于欺诈的范畴，在此种情况下，只有证明某人根本就没有意向完成自己许诺的事情才能看作是欺诈。最常见的合同是双方承诺何时做某事，之所以将之称之为合同，主要在于一方的承诺是建立在对方许诺付款或提供服务基础上的。除了日复一日反复发生的事情外，以书面形式签订合同是非常明智的选择。即使合同关系破裂，你也可以胜诉，但律师费该由谁来承担只有在合同中有明确表示才能得到相关法律的支持。如果想了解违反合同方面的信息，可向律师咨询。

　　单词解释：

　　1、fraud n

　　（1）欺骗；欺诈

　　（2）骗子

　　People who tell your future by means of a pack of cards are frauds. 用一叠纸牌为你占卜未来的人都是骗子。

　　（3）伪品；骗人的东西

　　2、induce来自拉丁语inducere

　　（1）引诱；诱导

　　What induced you to do such a foolish thing？ 是什么引诱你做这样的傻事？

　　Nothing shall induce me to join their club. 我怎么都不会去加入他们的俱乐部。

　　（2）招致；引起

　　illness induced by overwork工作过度而引起的疾病

　　Too much food induces sleepiness. 吃得过饱会产生睡意

　　3、punitive adj

　　（1）处罚的；惩罚的

　　punitive laws刑法

　　（2）严厉的

　　punitive taxes重税

　　4、occurrence occurr+ -ence n

　　发生的事；发生

　　an everyday occurrence 每天发生的事

　　5、applicable adj

　　（1）生效的

　　The new law on the protection of the environments is applicable to everybody from next year.

　　新的环境保护法明年起将生效。

　　（2）适用的

　　This rule is not applicable to foreigners. 这项规定不适用于外国人。

　　（3）适宜的；正确的

　　6、statute n 成文法；法规；规章

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