Stranger hides $5,000 worth of cash across popular Aussie tourist island to 'spread joy'
Nathan Johnson had just left Queensland's Magnetic Island last week when he found himself sitting next to a lone figure on the return ferry. Since it was Christmas Day, he decided to spark up a conversation with the stranger. Little did he know it would inspire a return visit — and leave him with an unexpected wad of cash.
"He was sitting alone behind me on the ferry and it was Christmas so I figured I would at least have a conversation with him," Nathan told Yahoo News. "He said he went to Magnetic Island to do something special."
That something special happened to be in the form of $5 notes — 1,000 of them to be exact.
The stranger had made a day visit to the popular tourist island to hide $5,000 in public places in the hope that it would brighten the days of those who found the surprise. The anonymous man said he simply wanted to "spread the joy" over the Christmas break.
"I almost didn’t believe him at first when he said he scattered $5,000 around... [he] said he lives a very modest life and enjoys spreading some happiness and doing some good for others," Nathan recalled.
Cash hidden in 'plain sight' around Aussie island
Nathan, who is from the US, decided to return to the island and search for some cash himself. It took him all day, and just as he was feeling disheartened, he found a $5 note neatly tucked away in a vinegar station located near a beach in Horseshoe Bay.
"It was a single $5 note with a message inside reading, '$5,000 in $5 notes have been placed around Magnetic Island in plain eye sight for people to find for Christmas 2024. If you are reading this, then you have found one. They on are trees, posts, tables, chairs, rocks, signs, bins etc. Merry Christmas. Jim 765."
Have you found one of the $5 notes hidden on Magnetic Island? Email sophie.coghill@yahooinc.com
Nathan told Yahoo News he was blown away by the gesture that was intended to "help make people's holidays just a little bit better" and has since heard from others who have found $5 notes. Another visitor, Katrina Skuse, told Yahoo News her family found one of the $5 notes recently.
"I've heard of a couple other people finding some of the $5 notes... It helped make my Christmas a bit more cheerful," he confessed. It's believed much of the cash has still not been found.
What do we know about mysterious Jim?
Other than the few details Nathan was able to get out out of Jim during their chat on the ferry, there is not much known about him or where he lives in the country.
"I believe he was born in India, but his parents were Australian, and he was raised in Australia," Nathan said. "The only thing I know is I believe the three numbers he wrote on the message after his name are the last three digits of his phone number
"He said he had gotten lucky in stocks and just happened to invest in the right things... such a lovely gesture to share."
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