Are chain letters illegal in the UK?

I always thought they were but saw an article on the Guardian website earlier saying they are legal as long as they're not threatening? Anyone know if this is true? I would've though it qualifies for mail fraud or something?

Reply 1

Balky_Bear

2

I'm not sure but there was a time in the 90's when I used to get them saying stuff like 'if you don't send on you will die in 5 days' or something equally stupid. Quite annoying especially the emails and text ones that are about now, I just ignore them.

Reply 2

Natasha X

10

they should be illegal if they're not. they're soo anoying!
i remember back in the days i used to be scared when i got them :s-smilie:

Reply 3

Natasha X

10

http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-GB%3Aofficial&q=are+chain+letters+illegal+in+the+UK&btnG=Search&meta=
yep they are!

Reply 4

20083

2

Never had one.

Reply 5

n7v

Me neither... I remember there used to be one that pretended to have something to do with Blue Peter going round though... and they'd keep having these serious moments to the camera during the programme where they'd say "They're nothing to do with us... shred them and throw them away, or if you're concerned, send them to us..." lol. Ahhh the 90s... *is nostalgic*

Reply 6

Bexxxx

14

^ I remember that! I was handed one at primary school one day, and my dad found it and ripped it up - he said it was dangerous because there were addresses of children on the front!!

Reply 7

Scotsman1988

1

n7v

Me neither... I remember there used to be one that pretended to have something to do with Blue Peter going round though... and they'd keep having these serious moments to the camera during the programme where they'd say "They're nothing to do with us... shred them and throw them away, or if you're concerned, send them to us..." lol. Ahhh the 90s... *is nostalgic*

I remember that too! God you gotta love the 90s

Reply 8

Balky_Bear

2

Natasha X

they should be illegal if they're not. they're soo anoying!
i remember back in the days i used to be scared when i got them :s-smilie:

Ha ha, I used to be scared as well.

Reply 9

*pink_sapphires*

1

omg, i used to be terrified by these too! glad im not the only one!

Reply 10

Glutamic Acid

17

' if u do not send this 2 seven ppl dat u love within the next 15 minutes sometin very bad will happen! a gost will appear in ur house and terrafy u!!. This is not fake i swear to god!!! Please send this message on. '