Can altruists turn into fraudsters? An exploratory inquiry into the slippery slope of altruism

Purpose The primary purpose of this exploratory paper is to propose a novel analytical framework for examining fraud from a behavioural perspective by highlighting multiple issues associated with altruism. Design/methodology/approach This exploratory paper elucidates the correlation between altruism and fraud, linking both to individuals’ quests for happiness in a collectivistic society such as Indonesia. This paper examines the interplay among happiness, altruism and fraud within the cultural context of toxic collectivism, where collectivistic values are misinterpreted as rationalisations for misguided altruistic behaviours that may lead to fraudulent acts such as corruption. Findings This exploratory paper introduces a novel analytical framework, the slippery slope of altruism (SSA), aimed at enhancing understanding of the gradual transition from genuine altruism to fraudulent behaviour. The SSA framework suggests that the misunderstanding of collectivistic principles may lead to circumstances where a genuine altruist gradually acquires gullible altruistic inclinations, eventually evolving into a pathological altruist and culminating in fraudulent activity. The SSA framework also serves as a guide for future research that examines the transformation of altruistic individuals into fraudsters, as well as how decision-makers can formulate the most effective intervention strategies. Originality/value Using the SSA framework as a reference, this exploratory study underscores the significance of understanding the complexities of the interplay between happiness, altruism and collectivism, with a particular emphasis on its detrimental impact on the spread of fraud.