In an unusual act of kindness reported by the NZ Herald, a pensioner in Auckland was handed an envelope containing $5,000 in cash by a young man who immediately ran away. The event occurred on December 20, within one of Auckland’s affluent suburbs, where the 78-year-old busily tending to his garden outside his home.
Approached by a man in his 20s, described as gym-fit, the pensioner was asked for his name before being handed an envelope with the words, “This is for you,” after which the young man quickly fled the scene. The envelope was found to contain 100 crisp $50 notes. Concerned about the possibility of a setup or subsequent demands for the money’s return, the pensioner contacted the police for assistance.
Following the incident, the pensioner, fearing for his safety, opted to spend a night in a hotel. It was later revealed that the benefactor had attempted to make contact two days earlier but had only met the pensioner’s daughter. Despite obtaining footage of the man from a nearby security camera, the identity and motives behind the young man’s actions remain unknown.
The pensioner, who built a successful business from the ground up and has been known to help others financially, is at a loss to explain the reason behind this unexpected windfall, having no recollection of any debts that could have prompted such an act. The police investigation continues, with the money being treated as found property. The pensioner has the right to claim the money after a certain period as per police procedures for handling found cash over $50, though he remains hesitant to do so due to uncertainties surrounding its origin and potential conditions attached.
The story has raised curiosity and speculation among the community, with many pondering the possible motivations behind the young man’s generous but mysterious gesture. According to police statements, efforts are being made to reunite the found cash with its rightful owner, with the procedure dictating that unclaimed money be either claimed by the person who handed it in or deposited into Crown accounts if the owner cannot be determined.