Postal schemes refer to fraudulent schemes or scams that are conducted through the postal system. These schemes typically involve the use of mail to deceive individuals and trick them into sending money or providing personal information to the scammers. Here are a few examples of common postal schemes:

1. Nigerian Prince Scam: This is one of the most well-known postal scams. The scammer sends a letter or an email claiming to be a Nigerian prince or a wealthy individual from another country. They usually state that they need help transferring a large sum of money out of their country and offer to share a portion of the funds with the recipient in exchange for their assistance.

2. Sweepstakes/Lottery Scams: In these schemes, individuals receive a letter or an email claiming that they have won a lottery or sweepstakes, even though they may not have entered any such contest. The scammer usually requests payment of taxes, fees, or other expenses before the winnings can be claimed.

3. Pyramid Schemes: While pyramid schemes can take different forms, some scammers use the postal system to promote and carry out these fraudulent schemes. Typically, participants are asked to make an initial investment and then recruit others to join the scheme. The recruits' investments are used to pay the earlier participants, and the scheme continues until it collapses, leaving most participants with losses.

4. Work-from-home Scams: Scammers may send out letters or advertisements offering attractive work-from-home opportunities. They may claim that individuals can earn significant amounts of money by performing simple tasks or processing payments. However, once individuals respond to these offers, they may be asked to pay upfront fees or purchase expensive training materials that are essentially worthless.

5. Phishing Scams: Some scammers use the postal system to send fake letters or documents that appear to be from legitimate financial institutions or government agencies. These letters often request personal information, such as Social Security numbers or bank account details, under the pretense of verifying accounts or resolving issues. The scammers then use the obtained information for identity theft or other fraudulent activities.