Investment Fraud Cases Study in Chinese Context of Instant Messaging Software
Yuwei Su, Chih-Hung Shih, Tai-ju Ou Yang · Procedia Computer Science · 2024
In 2023, investment fraud in Taiwan resulted in financial losses equalling NT$5.34 billion. Fraud gangs commonly utilize LINE instant messaging software to establish investment fraud groups and lure victims to join. Communication through LINE software falls under Computer-mediated Communication (CMC). However, research on CMC in the context of Chinese language and group conversation on instant message software needs to be improved. This study compared the methods of joining groups, daily message volumes, and message-sending times between one legitimate investment group and two fraud investment groups established on LINE. Textual features and conversation patterns used by group members were depicted using word clouds, along with a discussion of psychological mechanisms. Findings revealed that the average daily message volume in fraud investment groups exceeded that of the legitimate investment group, and fraud investment groups tended to send messages predominantly in the afternoon. Textual analysis showed that fraud investment groups created an illusion of active discussion on investment topics while leveraging informational social influence and post-decision dissonance in group conversations and private messages to solidify victims’ investment intentions. This manipulation aimed to induce investors to download investment software and transfer money. The study concludes with recommendations for future research based on these findings.