Dominant appeals in fraudulent financial solicitation emails: a personal experience

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Periodical article

Title:	Dominant appeals in fraudulent financial solicitation emails: a personal experience
Authors:	Alozie, Emmanuel C. Alozie, Nnaemeka Emmanuel
Year:	2016
Periodical:	Journal of communication and media research (ISSN 2141-5277)
Volume:	8
Issue:	1
Pages:	177-197
Language:	English
Geographic term:	Nigeria
Subjects:	crime Internet fraud
Abstract:	The transformation of the world's economy into an interconnected and information-and-technology-based one has produced both promises and challenges. A key challenge is the growth in financial crimes and frauds which is eroding trust and confidence in global business transactions. A growing form of financial Internet crime is known as the Nigeria 419 email scam. This study uses textual analysis to ascertain the dominant appeals conveyed in the emails used in this type of scam. The study found that the dominant themes used in the letters are religion, adventure/fantasy, charity, and emotion. The authors argue for prosecuting not only the perpetrators, but also victims of the crime, because they often knowingly engage in an illegal and unrealistic transaction in an effort to gain quick wealth at the expense of other individuals, organizations and governments. Bibliogr., sum. [Journal abstract, edited]