Which term describes the willful misrepresentation of material facts with the intent to mislead?

The term that describes the willful misrepresentation of material facts with the intent to mislead is fraud. Fraud involves intentional deception, where an individual deliberately provides false information or omits important facts with the purpose of influencing another party's decision. This could occur in various scenarios, such as in financial transactions or contractual agreements, where one party relies on the information provided by another.

Understanding fraud is crucial within the context of finance and investment because it safeguards investors and maintains the integrity of the markets. Different from unethical practices, which may encompass a broader range of behavior without necessarily involving deception, fraud specifically targets the intentional act of misrepresentation. Negligence refers to failure to act with reasonable care, potentially causing harm, while indifference denotes a lack of interest or concern. These concepts do not involve the deliberate intent to mislead, which is a defining characteristic of fraud.