Mysterious stranger reveals why he has hidden $5,000 worth of cash in separate $5 bills on popular Aussie tourist island
A mysterious stranger who wanted to “do something special” has reportedly left a thousand $5 bills scattered across a tourist island as an act of kindness during the holiday season.
Nathan Johnson, who is from the US, struck up a conversation with a stranger on Christmas Day while they were both on a return ferry from Magnetic Island in Queensland.
The stranger told Mr. Johnson that he had littered the island with $5,000 in individual $5 bills as a Christmas treat for visitors.
All the stranger wanted to do was “spread the joy,” said Mr. Johnson, who “almost didn’t believe him at first.”
After doing some hunting of his own, however, Mr. Johnson came across his first $5 bill, tucked away in a vinegar station near a beach in Horseshoe Bay.
The money was accompanied by a note that read: “$5,000 in $5 bills have been placed around Magnetic Island in plain sight for people to find before Christmas 2024.”
‘If you’re reading this, you’ve found one. They are on trees, poles, tables, chairs, rocks, plates, containers etc. Merry Christmas. Jim 765.’
Mr. Johnson recalled the stranger cryptically telling him that this kind of game was his idea of fun.
A strange man has left a thousand $5 notes scattered across Queensland’s Magnetic Island
The man explained to another that he had done well in the stocks and that he wanted to spread the joy around Christmas
‘[He] said he lives a very modest life and enjoys spreading some happiness and doing something good for others,” Mr Johnson said told Yahoo.
“I heard a few other people found some $5 bills… It made my Christmas a little brighter.”
While the exact number of $5 bills found so far cannot be confirmed, some people believe a majority are still hidden on the island.
Mr Johnson said the alien was likely born in India, but their parents were Australian and the alien himself had grown up down under.
“He said he had been lucky with shares and just happened to invest in the right things… what a lovely gesture to share,” Mr Johnson added.