A chain letter is a letter or a E-Mail, in which the request is contained to copy and dispatch to several further receivers the letter. If one does not do this, with partly generic term cures consequences one threatens. Who further-sends however such letters, is allegedly large rewards to receive. Above all humans believe in it and continue to send it, without thinking about consequences.

Chain letters can fulfill different purposes.

• to spread a report, e.g. a donation call, wrong virus warnings or a political text.
• at E-Mail addresses to come (Spam)
• there are plays, which are based on chain letters.
• Chain letters are used, in order to enrich itself fraudulent. (Make Money nearly).
• Disturbance of communication services (e.g. E-Mail)
• Annoyance of mechanisms or persons

Up to the popularity of the Internets chain letters were sent away mainly by letters. In the age of the Internets chain letters are dispatched predominantly by E-Mail. In principle each medium for the distribution of chain letters is suitable, if there is a sender, a receiver as well as the possibility of the dispatch of messages to several other persons. Thus e.g. also in Communities Kettenmails were already observed. For the definition of the chain letter is relevant for this reason its transmitting medium less separate contents of the message.

Chain letters are typically at a direct or indirect request in the message to further-distribute these to several receivers recognizably, usually in connection with promises, compassion-exciting stories or threats.

Chain letters use the effect way of the snow ball system for spreading. Many frequently juvenile users hope for the promised profits or successes by the dispatch of a chain letter. There are however no references that one has after (non) the dispatch of a chain letter less and/or more success.

Chain letters can be used also indirectly for the annoyance by persons. Here in the chain letter a request for assistance, e.g. a telephone number is usually indicated. The usually notionless victims behind this telephone number are then troubled by dozens of telephone calls daily by helpful receivers of the chain letter.

By the potenziell rising mass of message (enamel) communication systems are very strongly loaded. If e.g. a user receives a chain letter and passes him on at ten further persons, who pass him on again at ten persons each, then a theoretical message arising of over 1.000.000 messages is already reached after the fifth receiver. Network carriers express therefore generally the clear recommendation not to pass a chain letter message on and to take up with partners possibly specified no contact.

A special form of the chain letter as E-Mail also before-bleached warnings, e.g. of computer viruses, represents also the so-called Hoax.

See also: Make Money nearly

Related links

• To list of the Hoaxes and chain letters DO Berlin
• Sarkasti answer nerve-ends Kettenbriefschicker on

Articles in category "Chain letter"

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