Abstract

The transformation of the world’s economy into an interconnected and information-and-technologically-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, thus making it increasingly difficult to ascertain legitimate financial transactions. A growing form of financial Internet crime is known as the Nigerian 419 e-mails. Using globalization and diffusion of information and technologies as its theoretical anchor, this study used textual analysis to ascertain the dominant appeals conveyed in the letters. The study found that the dominant themes used in the letters are religious, adventure/fantasy, and humanitarian, and emotion. Instead of prosecuting only perpetrators only, the study called for the prosecution of victims as well because they knowingly engage in the illegal and unrealistic transaction in an effort to gain quick wealth at the expense of other individuals, organizations and governments. 

Key Words: Email, Fraud, Financial Crime, Internet Scam, Nigeria, Nigerian 419.

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*Prof. Emmanuel C. Alozie, Ph.D., is a Full Professor of Media Communications, Governors State University, One University Parkway, University Park, Illinois U.S.A.

**Nnaemeka Emmanuel Alozie, J.D.,  LL.M.,  is of the Arizona Summit Law School, Boston University, Boston, U.S.A.

^JCMRJournal of Communication and Media Research, Vol. 8, No. 1, April 2016, 177 – 197