Certified Fraud Examiner Practice 2026 - Free Practice Questions and Study Guide

Mail fraud encompasses any fraudulent scheme that involves the use of postal services to carry out or facilitate the fraud. This includes any deceitful activities where the postal service is used as an integral part of the scheme to obtain money or property under false pretenses.

The definition of mail fraud is broad and includes various methods through which mail can be utilized in the context of committing fraud, such as sending fraudulent checks, misleading advertisements, or other deceptive correspondence. It does not limit itself to the geographical boundaries of domestic fraud; instead, it can extend to international mail as long as postal services are involved in the fraudulent scheme.

Additionally, mail fraud is not constrained to merely physical forms of mail, as it also encompasses various types of mail, including packages and correspondence. Although electronic communications are sometimes involved in fraudulent schemes, they fall under different categories such as wire fraud once they utilize electronic means rather than traditional postal services. Therefore, recognizing the broader scope of what constitutes mail fraud is essential for understanding this type of fraud comprehensively.