EBONYI JOURNAL OF LANGUAGE
EJLLS Publication
EJLLS| Title: | Strategies of Discursive (De)Legitimization in Advanced Fee Fraud Emails |
| Author(s): | Isioma Maureen OBI & Ikenna KAMALU |
| Abstract: | The Nigerian 419 also known as advanced fee fraud (AFF) is a form of online-based scam that prompts victims to pay certain amount in order to receive huge financial returns. While previous studies have explored linguistic features of this form of scam, this study with insights from Reyes and van Leeuwen’s strategies of legitimization, focuses on the (de)legitimization strategies embedded in the narratives of advanced fee fraudemails. The study examines the textual narratives in scam emails in an attempt to unravel how fraudstersposition themselves, their actions and other social actors embedded in the mail. Findings from the study reveal that scam mails adopt similar legitimization strategies found in political discourse such as voice of expertise, rationalization, and appeals to morality to deceive their victims. In addition, emotional appeals that emphasize the atrocities of other social actors serve as strong legitimization strategies and contribute to the success of advanced fee frauds. The study also suggests the application of legitimization strategies to the study other forms of discourse. |
| Keywords: | Scam Mail, Social Actors, Self/Other Representation |
