Linguistic Strategies in Investment Fraud: A Case Study of Language Structuring in Cryptocurrency Investment Website

Abstract

In the era of digital finance, cryptocurrency investment fraud has become increasingly prevalent and has significantly affected societal well-being. Although various cybersecurity systems and legal frameworks have been established, there is still a lack of studies examining how language is strategically used to deceive victims. Cryptocurrency investment fraud in Malaysia has grown alongside increasing public interest in digital assets. This phenomenon displays consistent linguistic and semiotic patterns that construct false credibility, normalise risk, and prompt immediate action through the “compression” of space–time–value, as described in the proximisation framework. This study analyses fraudulent landing pages and fake support channels using a multimodal discourse approach to identify strategies used to manipulate victims. In addition to contextualising fraudulent discourse, the study incorporates developments in blockchain-based detection science and social media analytics to develop data-driven educational, policy, and enforcement implications, including dynamic early-warning systems, blockchain-based federated learning, and transparent transaction forensics. The findings are expected to contribute to public literacy, the design of preventive interventions, and more effective legal action against cryptocurrency fraud.