Is the microsoft and AOL bill gates email real?

In 1999 a hoax e-mail chain letter began circulating throughout the internet stating AOL was merging with Microsoft (they never did) and/or that Bill Gates was sharing his fortune with internet users who participated in a Microsoft beta test by forwarding the e-mail to their friends and family. Microsoft's official statement regarding the chain letter was as follows. REDMOND, Washington, May 12, 1999 - Recently an e-mail has been circulating on the Internet about a new "e-mail tracking system" from Microsoft.

As you may have suspected, this is a hoax and did not originate from Microsoft.

Microsoft does try to investigate the source of these hoaxes and take appropriate action. However, many times the hoaxers take elaborate steps to shield their true identities and we cannot identify them. Privacy and security are very important to us here at Microsoft, and we work every day to build great software for the Internet that keeps information safe, secure and private.

We regret any inconvenience this may have caused you.