fraud?
is it illegal to cash a check that was sent to you by an employer but the money sent wasn't owed to you? basically the check was a mistake
Re: fraud?
Cashing the check would not be fraud (unless you knowingly induced the mistake that led the employer to send it to you), but it would still be a misappropriation of funds. Since you know the check was sent in error, you should return it to the employer.
Re: fraud?
"technically" receiving the check is not a fraud...cashing it knowing you are not entitled to the money looks like a theft...return the check