Many chain letters promise quick ways to make money, usually on the basis of pyramid or Ponzi schemes. A pyramid scheme requires you to send money or goods to a list of people that is included in the e-mail. Usually you are asked to add your name to the list. An investment swindle in which some early investors are paid off with money put up by later ones in order to encourage more and bigger risks. These schemes are not only against University policy, but they are illegal as well.
Some chain letters make claims that seem to be too good to be true.
Many of these letters prey on your sympathy and tell stories of a sick child who has asked that word be spread about the illness by chain letters. Many report a virus warning, and ask you tell everyone about it. The virus warnings are invariably hoaxes. None of these purposes for composing or sending a chain letter are legitimate. The CIAC page also has links to get information about legitimate virus warnings.