In a fraud case involving false statements, what must the injured party prove?

In a fraud case involving false statements, it is essential for the injured party to prove that the statements were made with intent to deceive. This means showing that the party making the statements knew they were false or recklessly disregarded the truth when making them to the injured party. The intent to deceive is a key element in establishing fraud, as it demonstrates a willful and knowing action to mislead the other party, resulting in an injury or loss.

Understanding this aspect of fraud is crucial because it differentiates mere misrepresentation or mistake from fraud. In the absence of this intent, the legal criteria for fraud would not be met, and the injured party would not typically be entitled to relief or damages. Hence, proving the fraudulent intent is central to building a strong fraud case in legal contexts.

The other options focus on conditions surrounding the injured party's awareness or circumstances related to the contract, which do not directly address the critical element of intent in fraudulent statements.