Anonymous ‘HiddenCash’ creates social media frenzy | Inquirer Technology

Anonymous ‘HiddenCash’ creates social media frenzy

/ 04:41 AM May 30, 2014

• Someone is dropping envelopes of cash free for the taking

• Scavenger hunts ensue

• Anonymous creator says it’s a social experiment

Article continues after this advertisement

This image provided by Sergio Loza shows Loza holding up an envelope that had cash hidden in it in San Francisco, on Sunday, May 25, 2014. AP

SAN FRANCISCO — Someone is dropping envelopes full of cash across San Francisco — and causing an international frenzy on social media.

FEATURED STORIES

An anonymous man with the Twitter handle @HiddenCash has been hiding money throughout the city since Friday, leading scores on a scavenger hunt. His Twitter following exploded from a few hundred Friday to more than 80,000 and counting by midday Tuesday.

One of his clues Tuesday told San Francisco followers to “find Mr. Franklin along the ‘crookedest street,’ (towards the bottom).”

Article continues after this advertisement

Translation: There was a $100 bill at the bottom of Lombard Street, the popular touristy thoroughfare that’s best known as the “Crookedest Street in The World.”

Article continues after this advertisement

Hidden Cash’s anonymous creator said his giveaways are a “social experiment for good.” He claims to make his money off San Francisco’s hot and lucrative real estate market and hopes that winners also “pay it forward.”

Article continues after this advertisement

Two of his winners said Tuesday that they did just that.

Sergio Loza, 28, of San Francisco, said he saw a clue on Twitter Sunday morning with the message “Early bird gets the worm.” He raced out and found an envelope with $50 inside taped to a parking meter in the city’s Mission District.

Article continues after this advertisement

Loza said he spent $30 on clothes for his 2-year-old niece’s birthday and gave her the remaining $20 as well.

“I didn’t spend it on myself,” said Loza, a security guard. “It feels good to give, especially in these times.”

Adam Wenger, 27, said he won $200 by finding two envelopes about two hours apart Friday in the city’s South of Market District. One envelope read, “With Love, from @HiddenCash. Leave $20 somewhere and pay it forward.”

Wenger, a web producer for KGO-Radio, bought pizza for his co-workers on Tuesday and plans to pay a $100 parking ticket. “It’s crazy,” he said.

@HiddenCash said on Twitter that he plans to leave envelopes in San Jose on Wednesday, Los Angeles this weekend and maybe New York City next month. Followers have requested similar gestures in Alabama, Washington, and as far away as Pakistan with various hashtags ranging from #kindness, #generous, #epic and #strange.

Loza said he sent @HiddenCash “a big shoutout” on Twitter thanking him for the money.

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

“It’s a positive thing. I hope he keeps it up,” Loza said. “While you probably can’t help the whole world, a few at a time is definitely good.”

TOPICS: Social Media
TAGS: Social Media

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our newsletter!

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

© Copyright 1997-2024 INQUIRER.net | All Rights Reserved

This is an information message

We use cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more here.