Interesting thread.
About 4 years ago, (just before I moved from Oldham), I recieved one of these letters.
Can't remember the exact title but it was something like the
'Sir John Scruggs ' buisiness plan or something like that.
You sent off £10 for some info ('how to market your product' that type of thing) and then sent it to 10 friends who would each pay you £10 etc etc.
It was all very glossy and proffesional looking. I have to admit I was tempted. However, I was moving to start the new job so decided to do this down in Luton. With moving etc. it got forgotten about.....
AND I AM BLOODY GLAD!!!!
I have just read this thread & links and went quite cold when I considered what I could have done.
IMHO the only 'women' empowered by this are the clever ones who started the scheme!!!
..and are you sure they're women....!!!! 
Thank god for PPRuNe.....Thank god for the web.........!!!!
NO WAY I'll get caught like that. Shall inform my friends.......suggest everyone who reads this posts a link!