Who gains from email forwards?

Question

You know all those email forwards that go around? "90% of people won't forward this..." messages, and those Facebook messages where they say copy and paste this into your window etc..., keep it going, keep it going?

I am convinced that somebody somewhere is gaining, either financially or through some other means, by doing this.  Am I just being cynical and mistrusting?  I don't think so.  Somebody is trying to manipulate me by suggesting that, for example, if I don't forward this message I don't care about cancer.  Why are they trying to manipulate me?

Does anyone have any theories/knowledge on this?

Miss Capri · Answer

Oh heck yes! It's about power for these hoaxers, power and attention, and the reason they try to stay anonymous is to avoid getting their **** handed to them for this trouble-making.

Here's part 1 of a write-up on chain letters, it goes into why these things get started, and the various motives people have.
http://chainsmashers.mixxt.com/networks/content/index.Why%20Chain%20Letters%20Are%20So%20Bad%20Pt%201_%20What%20They%20Are%20And%20Who%20Starts%20Them

And yes, sometimes hoaxers do bilk people out of money with these things. Check out the bit on sick kid hoaxes in this article.
http://chainsmashers.mixxt.com/networks/content/index.Why%20Smash%20Chain%20Letters_%20The%20Mission

Michelle · Answer

None. If you wanna go help people, go out there and help.

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Who gains from email forwards?

2 Answers