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Aussie couple find $18k worth of diamond rings hidden in $2 op shop board game

If you thought you struck gold with your last op shop purchase, this Aussie couple is about to put you to shame.

When Chris Lightfoot and Mandy Flack packed up their lives in Sydney for a new adventure on the other side of the world, they never expected their biggest thrill to come in the form of a board game night with Chris’ parents.

After kicking back in Mexico for a few months, the young couple this year set themselves up in Toronto where Chris has pursued his passion in horticulture.

When the 27-year-old’s parents came to town for a visit, they decided to escape the city and head up to the picturesque fishing village of Prince Edward Island – a decision that turned out to be a very solid investment.

Chris Lightfoot and Mandy Flack last year packed up their lives in Sydney for a new adventure in Canada. Image: Supplied
Chris Lightfoot and Mandy Flack last year packed up their lives in Sydney for a new adventure in Canada. Image: Supplied

“I figured my parents were in town so we’re not exactly going to have a wild night out drinking, I thought maybe we will go to the thrift shop and pick up some board games,” Chris told Yahoo7 News.

After browsing through the shelves, they settled on a collection of riddles called Mind Trap.

“We bring it back and start playing and mum starts asking the questions. She goes to put the cards back in and she’s like ‘what’s going on, they don’t fit’,” he explained.

“She puts her hand in and finds a false bottom.

“She reaches in and pulls out a diamond ring and then another, and another and another.

Inside the secret compartment were six rings worth $18,000. Image: Supplied
Inside the secret compartment were six rings worth $18,000. Image: Supplied
Mind Trap quickly became Chris and Mandy’s new favourite game. Image: Supplied
Mind Trap quickly became Chris and Mandy’s new favourite game. Image: Supplied

“We are just standing there looking at each other like holy sh** is this for real.”

As for who got to claim their newfound haul, Chris devised a well thought out and rational system.

Unable to track down the board game’s original owner, Chris and Mandy went to get the rings valued, where they discovered their $2 board game had just turned an $18,000 profit.

“A couple of them are worth five grand… to be honest I thought about heading back to the store and buying every board game they had,” he joked.

A telcom technician by trade, Chris considered having the diamonds removed and placed in his teeth – an idea that was promptly shot down by his partner.

Their board game treasure has instead been tucked away for safekeeping and will serve as an emergency fund – or if Chris gets his way, a new boat.

“When our visa is up, we thought about buying a new boat and just setting sail to the Bahamas,” Chris added.

Chris said he and Mandy might just buy a boat and sail to the Bahamas when their visas expire. Image: Supplied
Chris said he and Mandy might just buy a boat and sail to the Bahamas when their visas expire. Image: Supplied