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A chain letter is a "get rich quick" scheme that promises that your mail box will soon be stuffed full of cash if you participate. The victim is advised he or she can make thousands of dollars every month by following the detailed instructions in the letter.
These offers usually include names and addresses of several people, some of whom the victim may even know. The victim is instructed to send a certain amount of money--usually $5--to the person at the top of the list, then eliminate that name and add his or her name (the victim's) to the bottom of the list. The victim is then to mail copies of the letter to other individuals who will hopefully repeat the entire process. The letter claims that if the victim follows this procedure, their name will gradually move to the top of the list and they will begin receiving money.
Chain letters are illegal if they request money or other items of value and promise a substantial return to the participants. Chain letters are a form of gambling, and sending them through the mail (or delivering them in person or by computer, but mailing money to participate) violates Title 18, United States Code, Section 1302, the Postal Lottery Statute. (Chain letters that ask for items of minor value, like picture postcards or recipes, may be mailed, since such items are not things of value within the meaning of the law.)
The USPIS warns that recently, high-tech chain letters have begun surfacing. They may be disseminated over the Internet, or may require the copying and mailing of computer disks rather than paper. Regardless of what technology is used to advance the scheme, if the mail is used at any step along the way, it is still illegal.
Chain letters don't work because the promise that all participants in a chain letter will be winners is mathematically impossible. Also, many people participate, but do not send money to the person at the top of the list. Some others create a chain letter that lists their name numerous times--in various forms with different addressee. So, in reality, all the money in a chain is going to one person.
The USPIS warning continues: "Do not be fooled if the chain letter is used to sell inexpensive reports on credit, mail order sales, mailing lists, or other topics. The primary purpose is to take your money, not to sell information. 'Selling' a product does not ensure legality. Be doubly suspicious if there's a claim that the U.S. Postal Service or U.S. Postal Inspection Service has declared the letter legal. This is said only to mislead you. Neither the Postal Service nor Postal Inspectors give prior approval to any chain letter."
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