I'll preface this post with stating I'm not normally into chain letters. My sister in NJ and people she works with got into this lottery chain letter, that states it is not a chain letter - but it actually is. . .anyway. . .here's how it works: You receive a letter that gives the instructions on the front which are to buy 1 scratch off ticket ($1.00 minimum) and mail that 1 ticket to the person at the top of the list on the reverse side - you don't send them anything but that single ticket you purchased. Then, you move the person in the number 2 position to the top(#1 slot) and place yourself in the number 2 position. There are only 2 names/addresses on each letter. You make 6 copies of the letter with the updated list and send them to people you know. The total layout of this is $1.00 and 7 stamps (plus your 6 copies of letters and 7 envelopes) What makes this different than most deals of this type is that everyone on the list has contacted people up front to see if they would be willing to participate and keep the chain going. So, I received the letter in yesterday's mail have the scratch off in an envelope and ready to go out in tomorrows mail and made the 6 copies. I have 2 people I've called who said they want in, so I have 4 left. If anyone is interested in participating and wants me to send them a letter, pm me with your addy and I'll send you one. Thanks for taking the time to read this
http://www.usps.com/postalinspectors/fraud/chainlet.htm 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.) And mailing lottery tickets is also illegal .... http://www.gambling-law-us.com/Federal-Laws/antilottery-law.htm Title 18, United States Code Section 1302. Mailing lottery tickets or related matter Whoever knowingly deposits in the mail, or sends or delivers by mail: Any letter, package, postal card, or circular concerning any lottery, gift enterprise, or similar scheme offering prizes dependent in whole or in part upon lot or chance; Any lottery ticket or part thereof, or paper, certificate, or instrument purporting to be or to represent a ticket, chance, share, or interest in or dependent upon the event of a lottery, gift enterprise, or similar scheme offering prizes dependent in whole or in part upon lot or chance; Any check, draft, bill, money, postal note, or money order, for the purchase of any ticket or part thereof, or of any share or chance in any such lottery, gift enterprise, or scheme; Any newspaper, circular, pamphlet, or publication of any kind containing any advertisement of any lottery, gift enterprise, or scheme of any kind offering prizes dependent in whole or in part upon lot or chance, or containing any list of the prizes drawn or awarded by means of any such lottery, gift enterprise, or scheme, whether said list contains any part or all of such prizes; Any article described in section 1953 of this title -- shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than two years, or both; and for any subsequent offense shall be imprisoned not more than five years.
Hmmm, so I guess I broke the law when I stuck Christmas scratch-offs in with Christmas cards I mailed out this year. . .and a couple family members did as well for Christmas and my birthday. . .Yikes, I know a lot of crooks! Seriously though, thanks for the info - I plan to mail out that ticket nonetheless - I figure if the jails as so overcrowded they're letting rapists and murders out early, they don't have room for me
Not likely you will get caught and even then there would probably only be a fine, but a fine would not be much of a 'win' umless the ticket was really good ....
True - guess there are others who aren't all that concerned - it's not like building a meth lab in one's car. . .got 4 responses - no names mentioned, not even if tortured - I'll not give up even an initial :mrgreen:
Hmmm, sounds like some of those ads from car dealers - like the ones with the key, or special number - might be illegal. And what about Publisher's Clearing House sweepstakes?
I believe the "no purchase necessary" gets around that aspect of a lottery, as there is no value attached, but it would take some looking to be sure.
