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                      UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE
                           Inspector in Charge
                     Special Investigations Division
                         Washington DC 20260-2112

 Dear Postal Customer:

 We have received a chain letter on which your name appears. Since you
 may not be aware of the possible violations of postal laws involved in
 the mailing of chain letters, the following information will be of
 interest to you. This type of letter is challenged by the Postal
 Service because it conflicts with postal lottery, false representation,
 and/or fraud statutes.  It offers a prize (large amounts of money),
 receipt of which depends upon the chance that later recipients of the
 chain letter, over whom the participant has no control, would also
 participate in accordance with the letter's terms. Payment of a fee to
 sponsors listed in the letter is a requisite. With limited exceptions
 for state-operated lotteries (Title 18 U.S. Code, Section 1307), use of
 the mails in furtherance of a lottery is prohibited by Title 18, U.S.
 Code, Section 1302.  Use of the mails in furtherance of a scheme to
 defraud is prohibited by Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 1341.  In
 addition to prosecution under these criminal statutes, such activities
 are subject to challenge under the civil-administration false
 representation and lottery statute, Title 39, U.S. Code, Section 3005.
 This statute authorizes mail-stop orders preventing receipt of mailed
 remittances induced via a false representation scheme or a lottery.

 A chain letter may base its claim of legality on elements of legality
 of the scheme such as providing "reports" or other items of alleged
 value to payers of the "participation fee."  Such elements do not
 immunize this chain letter scheme from challenge under the postal laws.
 It is each mailer's responsibility to ensure that his mailing activity
 does not violate any law, and anyone needing legal advice on the
 possible consequences of participating in a particular multi-level
 marketing program should consult private legal counsel.  The Postal
 Service does not offer such advice to the public.  Local bar
 associations may be of assistance in obtaining suitable counsel. If you
 choose to disassociate yourself from the promotion, you should write
 "Refused" across the face of any mail received by you in connection
 with the promotion, mark a line through your name and address, and
 return it to the post office for return to the sender. Our primary
 concern is to see this type of activity stopped and your cooperation
 would be appreciated.

                            Sincerely,

                            s/ A. R. Caggiano

                            A. R. Caggiano
                            Assistant to the Postal Inspector in Charge


... Sustaining Member: Buckeye State Sheriff's Association ** Since 1991

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