Should governments prioritize anti-fraud enforcement to recover public funds over other spending priorities?

Context

Government fraud—the misuse of public funds through false claims, embezzlement, or waste—costs taxpayers billions annually. The debate over anti-fraud enforcement priorities hinges on whether governments should dedicate more resources to recovering stolen or misspent money versus investing in other public needs like infrastructure, healthcare, or education. This tension has intensified as fiscal pressures mount and both parties highlight waste as a political priority.