This is an important public service announcement for anyone who lives in San Francisco: Stop what you're doing, lace up your running shoes, and go follow @HiddenCash on Twitter. One anonymous millionaire could make you a little bit richer, if you're quick enough.
"They were checking Twitter and said that right outside in the plaza someone was hiding $100 dollar bills under the chair out here. And I guess we were just a little bit too late to grab it today." (Via KPIX)
Here's how it works: Envelopes of cash have been mysteriously appearing around San Francisco over the weekend. To find the money, aspiring treasure hunters have to follow the Twitter account @HiddenCash, which tweets out clues and photos for every cash drop.
Once the tweet is out, the hunt is on. The lucky San Franciscans who managed to track down the money often posted Twitter pictures of their find. Just look at those happy faces! (Via Twitter / @nirvanazana, @mattypatty513, @thebabypumpkin)
Unfortunately, not every searcher got a happy ending. (Via Vine / Turner Kirk)
The mysterious benefactor behind @HiddenCash is remaining anonymous for now, but local paper The Bold Italic reports whoever's responsible made a fortune selling real estate in the Bay Area.
The @HiddenCash founder told the outlet: "I've made millions of dollars the last few years, more than I ever imagined. ... This is my way of giving back to the community and also having fun." The founder also emphasized that much of his or her money had been given to proper charities.
Of course, random $100 bills probably won't solve the city's severe inequality problem — a recent analysis by The Brookings Institution found the wealth gap between San Francisco's richest and poorest citizens is growing faster than anywhere else in the country. Still, it's the thought that counts, right?
So far, @HiddenCash has given out about $4,000 in free money — and the cash flow isn't going to dry up anytime soon. The wealthy cash dropper told ABC the social experiment might even expand to other cities soon.
