🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <4mjt9d$hkp@nadine.teleport.com>, John--st@gnn.com (}}}}}
Consider This  !!!) wrote:

>Before you start thinking oh no not one of these, consider these
>FACTS:

No, John. Here's the facts. And to everyone else out there, please pardon
the cross post, but don't you think this ought to get as wide a
dissemination as the spam itself?

><http://www.usps.gov/websites/depart/inspect/chainlet.htm>
>
>    [Inspection Service Seal]   United States
>                               Postal Inspection Service
>
>Chain Letters
>----------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>A chain letter is a "get rich quick" scheme that promises that your mail box
>will soon be stuffed full of cash if you decide to participate. You're told
>you can make thousands of dollars every month if you follow the detailed
>instructions in the letter.
>
>A typical chain letter includes names and addresses of several individuals
>whom you may or may not know. You are instructed to send a certain amount of
>money--usually $5--to the person at the top of the list, and then eliminate
>that name and add yours to the bottom. You are then instructed to mail
>copies of the letter to a few more individuals who will hopefully repeat the
>entire process. The letter promises that if they follow the same procedure,
>your name will gradually move to the top of the list and you'll receive
>money -- lots of it.
>
>There's at least one problem with chain letters. They're 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.)
>
>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.
>
>The main thing to remember is that a chain letter is simply a bad
>investment. You certainly won't get rich. You will receive little or no
>money. The few dollars you may get will probably not be as much as you spend
>making and mailing copies of the chain letter.
>
>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.
>
>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.
>
>Participating in a chain letter is a losing proposition. Turn over any chain
>letter you receive that asks for money or other items of value to your local
>postmaster or nearest Postal Inspector. Write on the mailing envelope of the
>letter or in a separate transmittal letter, "I received this in the mail and
>believe it may be illegal."

Bob
-- 
Bob R. Kenyon, Beautiful Downtown San Jose, CA
http://www.rahul.net/rrk/