# I'm Sure That This Is a Land Scam of Some sort **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 26, 2004, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-sure-that-this-is-a-land-scam-of-some-sort/256861 "2004-07-26T00:09:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2004, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-sure-that-this-is-a-land-scam-of-some-sort/256861/1 "2004-07-26T00:09:12Z")
I’m just not sure what kind. [This site](http://governmentland.com/) makes the following claims > [@](#): > > These claims can differ in size if you wish. They can vary from as small as 5 acres on up to as large as 160 acres. The normal size is 20 acres; if you’re married the two of you may claim 40 acre claims. No one individual can stake a single claim that is more than 20 acres in size. If you wish to claim additional acreage, you may do so by claiming additional 5 to 20 acre locations side by side. Multiple family members or partners may claim larger acreage together, up to 160 acres per claim. Anyone have any ideas? ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2004, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-sure-that-this-is-a-land-scam-of-some-sort/256861/2 "2004-07-26T00:30:51Z")
Looks like someone trying to muscle in on [Matthew Lesko](http://www.mlesko.com/). ---
**Author:** ![SandyHook](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dec6dc/32.png) [@SandyHook](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SandyHook)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2004, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-sure-that-this-is-a-land-scam-of-some-sort/256861/3 "2004-07-26T01:08:19Z")
The Homestead Act of about 1865 (or whatever the name of it was. You know the one, it made homesteading possible in big numbers after the Civil War) was repealed in the mid 1970’s. I’ve lived in Wyoming and Nevada for 27 years. Both states are largely government owned. The government isn’t giving away any of it’s land (well. . . . as far as I know - you’d think I’d of heard something about if they were). The site said mineral rights came with it. That just isn’t likely at all. Most of the land, in Wyoming anyway, has had options on the mineral rights, or the the mineral rights straight out, sold long ago. I’m thinking this is a $20 fucking. Just my $.02. ---
**Author:** ![spingears](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ebca7d/32.png) [@spingears](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spingears)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2004, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-sure-that-this-is-a-land-scam-of-some-sort/256861/4 "2004-07-26T01:45:28Z")
If it isnt an official government web site they are most likely selling you information that you can get at no charge with a little web searching. ---
**Author:** ![Cillasi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/71e660/32.png) [@Cillasi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cillasi)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2004, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-sure-that-this-is-a-land-scam-of-some-sort/256861/5 "2004-07-26T02:09:54Z")
> [@spingears](#): > > If it isnt an official government web site they are most likely selling you information that you can get at no charge with a little web searching. I agree. It is also my guess that all is not as they make it seem. Along with staking a claim goes obligations and responsibilities and owning a claim is not the same as owning the land itself. Much of the “information” given on this website is worthless. It focuses on what it is not while not telling you exactly what it is. I wouldn’t pay $20 for the missing information. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2004, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-sure-that-this-is-a-land-scam-of-some-sort/256861/6 "2004-07-26T02:19:38Z")
It sounds like a land lease of sorts even though the site claims it’s not. The site below essentially says it’s a mining claim. [Someone who ordered the packet says](http://outlands.tripod.com/farm/plt.htm) > [@](#): > > “How to stake a mining claim” - that’s what their ads need to read. > > Was I gypped? No - I got an info-packet, as promised. Was I deceived? They didn’t specify what kind of claims they were offering, so no, I wasn’t really deceived. Am I disappointed? Yup. > > I’m kinda miffed at the paucity of information I got in exchange for my $20. Odds are I could have spent an hour at the library and on the phone and gotten the same amount of information. Some of it appeared to be less-than-perfect photocopies of government indexes. Is the information useful? I’m not sure yet - I’m still trying to get over my irritation with them. > > If, after I look into this info, I discover they are reselling material that is available in any decent library or on the 'net, I _will_ write up my own version and make it available for free - especially if it is of any use at all. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2004, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-sure-that-this-is-a-land-scam-of-some-sort/256861/7 "2004-07-26T02:22:34Z")
Speaking of which, this info is apparently free. [HOW TO STAKE A CLAIM](http://www.theprospector.com/html/howtostakeclaims.html)