Bribery is the crime of giving or receiving something of value to influence official action. Both the person giving and the person receiving the bribe are guilty of bribery. Bribery is illegal for two reasons: first, it usually involves a public official using his or her office for personal gain; second it can cause officials to make unfair decisions that affect citizens. Bribery is a very old crime. There is evidence of bribery dating back more than 4000 years.

         No one knows how often people commit bribery, but many experts believe that most people who bribe officials are never caught. Bribery is more common in some countries or parts of countries than in others. Many countries have made it illegal to bribe officials from other countries.Bribery and similar illegal transactions in the political sphere alone cost the world an estimated one trillion dollars every year.  Less prosperous nations   those who export oil and certain other resources have been found to be particularly exposed to bribery and other corrupt activities, though even the wealthiest nations are not safe.