want some spam??? - Already edited - Please leave this up!

> I found this on a bulletin board and decided to try it. A little
> while back, I was browsing through newsgroups, just like you are?
> now, and came across an article similar to this that said you
> could make thousands of dollars within weeks with only an initial > investment of $6.00!

April, it's just an online version of the pre-internet chain letter scheme. It's still illegal, regardless of how you try to sell it.

> In my first week, I made about $25.00. By the end of the second
> week I had made a total of over $1, 000.00! In the third week I
> had over $10, 000.00 and it's still growing. This is now my fourth > week and I have made a total of just over $42, 000.00 and it's
> still coming in rapidly.

April, if you were receiving that many envelopes in your mailbox, the postal inspectors would have already paid you a visit. They do investigate and prosecute these illegal schemes. The numbers never run the way you show, as the drop out rate is horrendous. Of the few who will be sucked-in, many never send the $6 to the people ahead of them on the list. That was what kept the ond chain letters more honest.

With posting to news groups, there's no need to send the $6. In addition, many will seed their name in the number 2 or 3 spot to get a faster return. In extreme cases, a few will insert multiple names and addresses for themselves, and include a friend or relative to let everyone in the immediate circle benefit.

I did you a favor April and removed your home address that you publicly posted for everyone who might want to visit you.

> So I checked it out with the U.S. Post Office (1-800-725-2161) and > they confirmed that it is indeed legal!

April, if you had called, you would have found out these are still illegal. They just want you to believe so you'll join in.

> Now, post your amended article to at least 200 newsgroups. (I
> think there are close to 24, 000 groups) All you need is 200, but > remember, the more you post, the more money you make!

Again, this is what those who posted before you want you to believe.

> This is perfectly legal! If you have any doubts, refer to Title
> 18 Sec. 1302 & 1341 of the Postal lottery laws.

April, you didn't check, or you would have found out that chain letters and the $6 dollar online variants are expressly prohibited as illegal use of the US Postal Service, making you subjet to fines and possible imprisonment.

> (Also, it might be a Good idea to wrap the $1 bill in dark paper
> to reduce the risk of mail Theft).

Actually April, the paper is to try to hide the currency from the Postal Inspectors.

-------------- DIRECTIONS FOR HOW TO POST TO NEWSGROUPS------------
STEP 1)

Don't do it. Posting such schemes is prohibited by most forums and message boards, and may cause you to lose your internet service.

> People have said, "What if the plan is played out and no one sends > you the money? So what! What are the chances of that happening when
> there are tons of new honest users and new honest people who are
> joining the Internet and newsgroups everyday and are willing to
> give it a try?

What they really mean is they hope there are thousands of other naive newbies who fall for their scam the way you did.

> Remember: PLAY FAIRLY and HONESTLY, and this will really work.

In other words, send out the 6 dollar bills - Don't be like those who merely copy the letter and post it without ever sending any money.

April, look for a real money making business, online or off, but don't fall for every get-rich-easy scam that you see online or in your mailbox.