Nope it didn't change my life it just made me older LOL
From
http://www.usps.com/websites/depart/...t/chainlet.htm
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."
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