Has anyone out there ever gotten a random piece of mail from an unknown?

Question

I was wondering if anybody else has ever gotten a random letter in the mail that asks you to make copies of it and send it to 200 random people. "not friends". Included in those 200 are 6 letters to people listed on the bottom of one of the letters. You send those 6 people $1.00 and replace the bottom name on the list with your own so on your 200 mailings those people will send you $1.00 and so on. If 7.5% of the 200 do the same thing you should receive $15.00. After those 15 people send out 200 letters each you will get $225.00. Thats also 7.5 percent .and that process is repeated, and the results get bigger as it goes along until your name drops pff the list after 6 mailings. I know this is a little confusing but I was wondering if anybody ever tried it and what the results were?

Answer 1

It is commonly called a 'chain letter' and it is illegal in the U.S.

From the United State Postal Service website
http://www.usps.com/postalinspectors/fraud/chainlet.htm

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.

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."

Answer 2

That is a chain letter ot Ponzi scheme. This is as old as the hills.

No, it will not work for you.

Answer 3

it's a Pyramid_scheme!! throw it away!!!