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A Postal-Mail Chain Letter?
Posted By:
Maegan
in Tampa, FL - USA
Nov 14, 2004
 I received this chain letter in my mailbox:

Dear Friend,
Greetings: I am a retired attorney. A few years ago a man came to me with a letter. He asked me to verify the fact that this was legal to do. I told him I would review it and get back to him. When I first red the letter my client brought me, I thought it was some "off-the-wall" idea to make money. A week and a half later we met in my office to discuss the issue. I told him the letter he originally brought me was not 100% legal. My client then asked me to later it to make it perfectly legal. I asked him to make one small change in the letter.

***
It goes on for another 2 pages about how if you send $1 to the 6 names on the list & you will make $800,000.00 in just 3 months. You pay for a list of names to send letters to. I KNOW this is a scam. I just can't figure out how I got it. It came to me at my married name (junk-mail tends to come to my maiden name), & it came to my actual house address. (My driver's license lists my PO Box & if you look me up at the DMV, the physical address is actually my prior residence...haven't had time to change it yet.) The phone & electric aren't registered in my name, they're registered to my husband. (There's not a water bill, we have a well.)

What I wanna know is: How did this come to me, with my correct name at my current physical address??? The 'person' who sent the letter is: Mr. Louis Jordan/1234 Shakespeare Avenue/Apt # 2E/Bronx, NY 10452

Also, a co-worker recently had someone slip this same letter under his door at his apartment building...Anyone hear anything about this??
Category: Scams; Replies: 1761

Comments
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Charybdis
in Hell
 Member
Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2007 | 05:15 PM
Anyways, I was a skeptic just like everyone else, but It worked for me.


Robbing banks works for some people. Does that make it acceptable behaviour?
Cranky Media Guy
Member
Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2007 | 07:31 PM
Hey, James, here's something to show your father, you know, the former attorney and current politician.:

http://www.usps.com/postalinspectors/fraud/chainlet.htm

Pay particular attention to the third paragraph.
jiji66
in Ga
Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2007 | 12:46 AM
I just need to say for now, I got my first response, in 5 days. I followed the instructions to the tee. I will let everybody know in 3 months. Congrats to James, I hope I have the same response. I mailed out May 29, first response June 6. By the way I will wait at least 3 months and 10 percent will go to my church.
Cranky Media Guy
Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2007 | 03:31 AM
jiji66 said:

"By the way I will wait at least 3 months and 10 percent will go to my church."

So, if you get any profit from your participation in an ILLEGAL CHAIN LETTER, you will donate 10% of it to your church? That makes sense to you?

Are you attempting to bribe God to look the other way regarding your criminal activities?

Please DO NOT try to tell me that you aren't sure that chain letters are illegal. I've given you a link to the page on the U.S. Post Office's website which TELLS you that they're illegal.

Here it is again, in case you missed it:

http://www.usps.com/postalinspectors/fraud/chainlet.htm

From this point on, you no longer have the excuse that you aren't sure of the legality of chain letters.

I guess you'll just have to try to talk yourself into the notion that your God doesn't condemn criminal activity if you cut Him in.
Charybdis
in Hell
 Member
Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2007 | 10:38 AM
I've always found it far easier to just rummage through women's purses while at work. They never lock their drawers so it's quite easy to do when they wander off to the restroom or smoke break.

And it's not illegal because I don't want it to be illegal.

oh oh
Tina
in minnesota
Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2007 | 12:24 PM
well I for one dont think that god and the government have anything to do with eachouther, so I really dont see how its bribing god if you break the governments laws, They are all crooks anyway, doin whatever they can to leagaly take money from the little working class guy. Now I really dont see how god would approve of that at all. Just thought Ild mention it since the subject came up. I still dont think that this works however, and Ild hate to see anyone waste their hard earned money, that they dont have to begin with. Yes jiji please let us know how you do. Im jusy wondering now if I diddnt get a bad mailing list or something.
Charybdis
in in Hell
Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2007 | 12:41 PM
I'm not trying to be a party pooper, I'm just giving a heads up before this starts turning nasty. This forum will not turn into a 'how-to' discussion on postal chain letters.

Any instructions or helpful hints on committing mail fraud or other illegal acts will be deleted.

This means no swapping of mailing lists and no posting of websites promoting postal chain letters, or the like.
Cranky Media Guy
Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2007 | 04:15 PM
Tina said:

"well I for one dont think that god and the government have anything to do with eachouther, so I really dont see how its bribing god if you break the governments laws,"

Hmm, let's see. How about, "Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's goods"?

Or, "Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's and to God that which is God's."

Since any profit you might derive from a chain letter comes from some poor sucker who also wanted to make money, you are stealing from them, hence the quote from the Ten Commandments.

The second quote refers to the fact that you aren't planning on paying tax on your windfall.

There are other passages in Scripture which say that you should obey the law.

I am operating on the premise that you are a Christian, of course.

Honestly, you don't see anything wrong with stealing and giving part of the money to your church? That doesn't strike you as the tiniest bit hypocritical?

If not, why not try this: if and when you get any money from the illegal chain letter, tell your minister where your intended donation came from. Make sure to tell him that it was illegal. See what he has to say about it.

Would you be using the same rationalization if a drug dealer donated some of his money to his church? If not, why not? After all, anti-drug laws are just "government laws," right?
neice2
Member
Posted: Sun Jun 10, 2007 | 06:40 AM
You know what I think is so darn funny? I have never even been on this site before, and reading through here I see that Cranky really does have an anger problem. Why else has he been arguing and trying to convince everyone of his opinion since APRIL 13,2005? Over two years! Are you afraid people may have the same mailing list as you? It might dig into your pocket? Or is it that you are sooooo Cranky that you are lonely and have nothing better to do?

In your last post, you stated, "Since any profit you might derive from a chain letter comes from some poor sucker who also wanted to make money, you are stealing from them, hence the quote from the Ten Commandments"

I would like to know where you got your definition of stealing. Funny, I thought that was when you TOOK something from someone with out permission. Not when they gave it to you. Seems to me the person on the other end is licking the stamp with no one holding a gun to their head! Maybe you are referring to YOU being the poor sucker who also wanted to make money. Besides the chain letters have changed since you 1st were involved in them in 1912. Isn't that the year you said??? Ha!

If you actually read the web site that took you over 2 years to post (2 days in a row), you will see that it says not all chain letters are illegal. Considering that the newer ones aren't just asking for money and promising that the people following you will become rich, I would say that your opinion is null and void.

Feel free to try to turn me in to the authorities. Good luck! I haven't done a chain letter since Jr high!

This look familiar to you Cranky?

"By registering at this site you agree not to post any messages that are obscene, vulgar, slanderous, hateful, threatening, or that violate any laws. We will permanently ban all users who do so."

You agreed to that statement when you signed up for this site. Well, I believe that you just broke the laws of this site. Shame Shame!!!

And, I know where your little brain is headed... Yes, It does say, "or that violate any laws". Have you read all the chain letters that these people have sent or received? Have you written the laws yourself? NO!?! Well, I'm not convinced that you know what the heck you are talking about!

You don't need to quote me for the next 2+ years and comment on my rationalization. This really can't be life for you. Why don't you find something more useful of your time. Like maybe running for President. You right up there!

Oh, yeah! Go ahead and try to have me kicked off the site while you are at it. I just signed up to say all this to you! Good luck convincing!
Cranky Media Guy
Member
Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2007 | 03:48 AM
neice 2 said:

"You know what I think is so darn funny? I have never even been on this site before, and reading through here I see that Cranky really does have an anger problem. Why else has he been arguing and trying to convince everyone of his opinion since APRIL 13,2005? Over two years! Are you afraid people may have the same mailing list as you? It might dig into your pocket? Or is it that you are sooooo Cranky that you are lonely and have nothing better to do?"

Ah, it's the old "If you tell someone something they don't want to hear, you must be angry, lonely or have a vested interest in the thing you're talking about" argument. Sorry to disappoint you, but none of those are correct. Got any OTHER ad hominem attacks?

"In your last post, you stated, "Since any profit you might derive from a chain letter comes from some poor sucker who also wanted to make money, you are stealing from them, hence the quote from the Ten Commandments"

"I would like to know where you got your definition of stealing. Funny, I thought that was when you TOOK something from someone with out permission. Not when they gave it to you."

Everyone who participates in a chain letter which purports to reward them with money is in it because they think they're going to come out ahead. The few people who make money with chain letters get it from other participants who LOSE what they put into the system. It's very simple math, really; a chain letter is the same as a pyramid scheme. This isn't "opinion," it's FACT.


"Maybe you are referring to YOU being the poor sucker who also wanted to make money."

I refer you to my first comment above. Sorry, that dog won't hunt.

"Besides the chain letters have changed since you 1st were involved in them in 1912. Isn't that the year you said??? Ha!"

Uh, where did I ever mention the year 1912 in any context in this thread? Even if I HAD, the simple arithmetic behind the inability of chain letters to make money for the participants hasn't changed. They don't work because they CAN'T work.

"If you actually read the web site that took you over 2 years to post (2 days in a row), you will see that it says not all chain letters are illegal. Considering that the newer ones aren't just asking for money and promising that the people following you will become rich, I would say that your opinion is null and void."

Yes, you are correct that a chain letter which does not require the participant to send money or something of value is NOT illegal. Where in this thread have you seen anyone talk about partipating in one of those, however?

Putting aside the legality of some alleged chain letter which doesn't involve sending money, the idea that participating in a chain which promises to make its participants rich is simple-minded superstition. While you would be free legally to take part in it, why would you want to put your stupidity on display like that?

[more]
Cranky Media Guy
Member
Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2007 | 03:50 AM
[continued]

"Feel free to try to turn me in to the authorities. Good luck! I haven't done a chain letter since Jr high!"

Ooh, very brave of an anonymous person to challenge me like that! Besides, when did I threaten to turn anyone in to anyone? All I've ever said is that a person involved in a chain letter COULD get into trouble if caught. That's a statement of fact.

"This look familiar to you Cranky?

"By registering at this site you agree not to post any messages that are obscene, vulgar, slanderous, hateful, threatening, or that violate any laws. We will permanently ban all users who do so."

"You agreed to that statement when you signed up for this site. Well, I believe that you just broke the laws of this site. Shame Shame!!!"

I did? Which "law(s) of this site" have I violated? Please be specific, using examples of my "violation(s)."

"And, I know where your little brain is headed... Yes, It does say, "or that violate any laws". Have you read all the chain letters that these people have sent or received? Have you written the laws yourself? NO!?! Well, I'm not convinced that you know what the heck you are talking about!"

I LOVE how you feel you can read my mind. Do you do card tricks, too?

"You don't need to quote me for the next 2+ years and comment on my rationalization."

I'm happy to see that you realize you are engaging in rationalization. That shows progress.

"This really can't be life for you. Why don't you find something more useful of your time. Like maybe running for President. You right up there!"

Uh, your grammar fell apart there suddenly. What happened? Are there two of you, one more literate than the other?

"Oh, yeah! Go ahead and try to have me kicked off the site while you are at it. I just signed up to say all this to you! Good luck convincing!"

More of the strangely deteriorating grammar. Trust me, I wouldn't dream of trying to get you kicked off this site. It hadn't even occurred to me. Frankly, I don't care if you're here or not. Since you're running off, though, I guess you'll never see this. Sign up, take a cheap shot and run off--quite the strategy you have there.

To be honest, your defense of the indefensible makes me wonder if YOU have the vested interest in chain letters as a money making operation you irrationally ascribe to me.
Charybdis
in in Hell
Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2007 | 10:19 AM
Wow Cranky, you sure know how to draw out the loonies. At least this one was mostly articulate, if a bit obsessive about defending stupidy in the face of rational thought.

I just get the people who attack me because of my given location. oh oh
Cranky Media Guy
Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2007 | 04:22 PM
charybdis said:

"Wow Cranky, you sure know how to draw out the loonies. At least this one was mostly articulate, if a bit obsessive about defending stupidy in the face of rational thought."

Yeah, I do have that "gift," don't I? Funny, it was the same way back when I was a wacky morning drive radio DJ and talk show host. I must give off a scent or something that attracts them.
jiji66
in Ga
Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2007 | 09:57 PM
I will be filing all my responses. I will be paying taxes on all income derived from this business,(not like some officials, gov. etc).
I don't care if it is 50,000 or 5.00 dollars it will be reported. Has everybody on this site ever cheated on their taxes?
jiji66
Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2007 | 10:09 PM
I meant has anybody ever cheated on their taxes?
The letter above is not the same letter I received.
Cranky Media Guy
Posted: Tue Jun 12, 2007 | 03:05 AM
jiji66 said:

"I will be filing all my responses. I will be paying taxes on all income derived from this business,(not like some officials, gov. etc).

You're in kind of a Catch 22. If you report your income from a chain letter, you're admitting to a crime and can be prosecuted as a result.

If, on the other hand, you DON'T pay tax on your illegal income, that, too, is a crime.

Good luck.
Charybdis
in Hell
 Member
Posted: Tue Jun 12, 2007 | 10:20 AM
But if he pays taxes on his illegal gains then that makes the crime go away. Bank robbers do it all the time, I hear.

That was Al Copone's downfall, you know. wink
Tina
in minnesota
Posted: Tue Jun 12, 2007 | 02:02 PM
boy are you guys repetitive or what?
Cranky Media Guy
Member
Posted: Tue Jun 12, 2007 | 08:45 PM
Tina, which "guys" do you make reference to and in what way are they repetitive?
ice
in atl
Posted: Wed Jun 27, 2007 | 06:05 PM
u guys r really irrate over this "chain letter" thing! there r much more serious issues n the world to go back & forth about 4 months @ a time ... of course i am responding tongue rolleye

participating in that "chain letter" may be unethical @ best, but certainly it's not as much of an issue as the "amnesty bill", soldiers & civilians dying n iraq, the mysterious "weapons of mass destruction" or any real issues. i would place it up there with going 10 mph over the speed limit or driving after a drink or 2 after work ... many do it occassionally (or frequently), but who really cares (that oughta get u up n arms).

concerning the post office originating the program, it's probably the lead brokers who get paid regardless. concerning response to the letter & consequenting profitability, it's all about the list & if they r actual responders are not. if ur targeting the correct target market, they will respond @ atleast 3% which is normal 4 direct marketing.

"nothing good ever came easy", "nothing ventured nothing gained", "risk takers succeed" ... & of course on the opposite side, "stupid is as stupid does" smile
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