Cheques or dating scams? Online fraud themes in hip-hop songs across popular music apps
Suleman Lazarus, Olatunji Olaigbe, Ayo Adeduntan, Edward T. Dibiana, Geoffrey U. Okolorie
Abstract
How do hip-hop songs produced from 2017 to 2023 depict and rationalize online fraud? This study examines the depiction of online fraudsters in thirty-three Nigerian hip-hop songs on nine popular streaming platforms such as Spotify, Deezer, iTunes, SoundCloud, Apple Music, and YouTube. Using a directed approach to qualitative content analysis, we coded lyrics based on the moral disengagement mechanism and core themes derived from existing literature. The findings shed light on how songs (a) justify the fraudulent actions of online fraudsters, (b) blame and dehumanize victims of online romance fraud, (c) glamorize online fraud, and (d) provide insights into prevailing attitudes, indigenous linguistics, and worldviews regarding cybercrime victimization. Specifically, analysis reveals the presence of components of moral disengagement mechanisms, including "dehumanization" and "displacement of responsibility," as well as core contextual themes associated with online fraud in a Nigerian context. We highlight the global impact of the musicians whose songs are readily accessible through various music apps in downplaying online fraud victims' plights. We argue that these musicians' persuasive messages downplay or even mock victims' plights contributing to the cultural worldviews and dimensions of online fraud. We recommend that future research explore non-traditional data sources capable of capturing cultural attitudes and dynamics.