Magnet fishing is searching in outdoor waters for objects to pull with a strong magnet. Recovered items may be dangerous, such as firearms, ammunition, and bombs, or a safe full of money like this couple in New York found containing $100,000.
James Kane and Barbi Agostini were magnet fishing at Flushing Meadows Corona Park in Queens last Friday when they pulled a safe from a stream. Upon opening it, they found bundles of water-damaged $100 bills amounting to about $100,000.
While Kane and Agostini had previously recovered safes while magnet fishing, this was the first time they found one with such a substantial amount of money inside. Concerned it might be related to illegal activity, they contacted the New York Police Department to report their discovery.
The NYPD informed the couple that they could not link the safe to any crime due to the poor condition of the money and the absence of any identifying information. As a result, Kane and Agostini were allowed to keep the money. The NYPD did not respond to ABC News' request for comment.
“It still doesn’t feel real,” Kane told ABC News regarding their six-figure find.
Despite their windfall, the couple faces challenges before they can use the money. “The money would deteriorate more with touch,” Agostini explained. Their plan is to take the water-logged bills to the Treasury Department in Washington, D.C., for reconstruction.
Kane and Agostini began magnet fishing during the COVID-19 pandemic and purchased their first kit in 2023. Kane said, “Through magnet fishing, you can get rich and clean the environment at the same time.”
Their previous magnet fishing finds have included guns, a grenade, a full-sized motorcycle, and a drone. They document their adventures on YouTube, where their viewers enjoy watching them remove garbage from the waters of New York City.
"People enjoy watching you take the garbage out of the water, especially in the heart of New York City," Agostini said.
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Photo: Getty