Modelling the Language of Cyber Scammers: A Forensic Linguistics Analysis of Malaysian Illegal Investment Scheme

Abstract

Over the last few years, there are growing concerns over the astronomical increase of reported cases of illegal internet investment schemes in Malaysia. Although the Central Bank of Malaysia (CBM) regulates and supervises financial institutions in order to combat illegal investment scheme through Financial Services Act 2013 (FSA 2013) and Islamic Financial Services Act 2013 (IFSA 2013), they do not protect the consumers should they choose to deal with the illegal financial service providers. The large financial losses have a negative impact fiscally on investors’ socioeconomic. Hence, this study is proposed to analyse Malaysian illegal internet investment scammers’ language properties to provide cyber defense for the public. Using Zhang and Wildermuth’s (2009) content analysis process, this study intends to examine the linguistic strategies used by scammers in their websites to deceive their targets. This study will focus on several websites identified by CBM as the primary data source. Semi-structured interviews will be conducted with personnel from relevant government agencies. For triangulation purposes, individuals who have experienced investing and willing to share their experiences and data will be interviewed. All data will be coded and categorised, and emergent themes will be presented to answer research questions. With great hope, this study’s results will help provide comprehensive public education about these scams’ linguistics strategies as a strong defense against them. The results may also help the authorities develop better crime prevention methods and contribute to the criminal justice system in presenting more significant linguistic evidence in the court of law.