This article is based on material authored by members of the news.newusers.questions Moderation Board and nnq-workers mailing list, particularly by Dennis D. Calhoun (until 2005) and Thor Kottelin (since 2007).

"Make money fast" schemes

Many people on the Internet will try to get rich quick, and will try to get you to send them money with attempts to get you some quick cash.

Don't do it. If you get in at the bottom of a pyramid scheme, you will not make any money. They are also illegal in many countries. As an example, pyramid schemes are considered mail fraud when conducted through US mail.

"Get rich quick" schemes often tell you to crosspost their advertisements to between 10 and 200 newsgroups. Don't do this!

Consequences of inappropriate behaviour

• People who read news will report you to your news admininstrator, postmaster and/or abuse desk.
• Many schools and ISPs (Internet service providers) will cancel your account if you send unwelcome advertisements using newsgroups or email.
• While you wait for your account to be terminated, you will receive indignant email messages as well as "flaming" newsgroup replies from people who are angered by your actions.
• You will gain a very bad reputation that may haunt you for decades through publicly available newsgroup archives.
• People may also report your endeavours to your local tax authority, so that any unreported income can be investigated.

So be safe - just say no to fast-money schemes.