Uncovering cybercrime tactics: Studying emerging linguistic features and forms of Swahili fraudulent SMS in Tanzania

Abstract

The majority of Tanzanians have fallen victim to cybercrime committed by imposters via SMS, the popular short messaging service. The victims have been tricked into sending money or engaging in fraudulent activities by those SMSs. The current research set out to study the fraudulent SMSs sent among Tanzanians. The study was guided by two objectives: firstly, to identify the forms of fraudulent SMSs, and secondly, to uncover their distinguishing features. A total of 97 fraudulent SMSs were collected from diverse recipients, including the author of this paper, and subjected to qualitative analysis. The linguistic stylistic approach guided the data analysis of the study. The study reveals several forms of fraudulent SMSs, including money transfers, superstition, easy money making, rental and landlord, fake lotteries, extortion, and false employment offers. Furthermore, the study identifies some features contained in those SMS, such as the absence of formal salutations, the sender and recipient's anonymity, typographical errors, distinctive writing styles, and the lack of politeness markers. Money-making and social problem-solving promises, extorting, hiding the purpose of money transfers, and impersonation are a few more. The study recommends that to reduce the chances of becoming a victim of fraud orchestrated by cybercriminals, recipients of these SMSs should exercise caution and critical judgment when receiving such SMSs.