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From: wetcw@pyuxa.UUCP (T C Wheeler)
Newsgroups: net.followup
Subject: Re: Chain Letters... Why are they Illegal?
Message-ID: <1209@pyuxa.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 2-May-85 20:13:34 EDT
Article-I.D.: pyuxa.1209
Posted: Thu May  2 20:13:34 1985
Date-Received: Tue, 7-May-85 20:12:06 EDT
References: <880@hou2h.UUCP>
Organization: Bell Communications Research, Piscataway N.J.
Lines: 17

The type of chain letter thst is illegal is one that
asks for you to send something with the letter.  Like,
send $20.00 to the name at the top of the list and put
yours at the bottom.  They always say that when your
name gets to the top, you will get zillions of dollars.
The chain letter being discussed here is not a true
chain letter.  There is no list of names or anything
to send.  It is just being passed around.  I have seen
it at least 4 times in the last ten years.  The reason
that chain letters, real ones, are illegal is that only
the top few people ever make anything out of it and
those on the bottom lose out as the letter dies due
to lack of support.  This scheme was around for quite awhile
before it was stopped.  It is kinda like a Ponzi scheme.
I'll tell you about them in the next episode.
T. C. Wheeler