Malaga counts cost of 'Hidden Cash' chaos
Authorities in the southern city of Malaga are less than thrilled after being hit with a €2,000 ($2,700) clean-up bill after in the wake of a chaotic 'Hidden Cash' treasure hunt organized by eccentric US millionaire Jason Buzi.
Malaga on Saturday became the latest location for Buzi's philanthropic initiative, which involves the hiding of money-stuffed envelopes in cities around the world.
These cash drops are advertised on Twitter with extra clues being provided to treasure hunters during the 'game'.
A recent version of the event in Madrid went off without a hitch.
But Malaga's event was little short of "chaotic" after a local newspaper informed readers ahead of time the envelopes would be hidden in a local park, according to Spains' El Mundo newspaper.
The man charged with hiding the cash was then forced to change plan and chose to hide the money on a pathway leading up to Malaga's Gibralfaro Castle.
He tweeted this information via the @HiddenCash Twitter account, but only at 4pm, according to local daily Diario Sur.
Malaga: Castillo Gibralfaro 14 sobres listos! pic.twitter.com/gsRcx93rZy
— Hidden Cash (@HiddenCash) July 12, 2014
The original tweet informing people that there were 14 envelopes hidden in the grounds of Malaga's Gibralfaro Castle
He also made the decision not to post further tips where to search on the alternative @HiddenCashmlg account.
As a result, most people continued to search in the original location, becoming increasingly frustrated at their lack of success.
That frustration was also felt by city authorities in Malaga.
On Monday, they announced they had been left with a €2,000 staff overtime bill after treasure hunters trampled plants and damaged manholes.
Staff also had to clear up all the rubbish left behind by people hoping to find the hidden money.
La celebración de @hiddencash ha costado a @malaga 2.000€ en horas extra para arreglo de arquetas, plantas pisoteadas y recogida de basura
— Ayuntamiento Málaga (@malaga) July 14, 2014
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Malaga on Saturday became the latest location for Buzi's philanthropic initiative, which involves the hiding of money-stuffed envelopes in cities around the world.
These cash drops are advertised on Twitter with extra clues being provided to treasure hunters during the 'game'.
A recent version of the event in Madrid went off without a hitch.
But Malaga's event was little short of "chaotic" after a local newspaper informed readers ahead of time the envelopes would be hidden in a local park, according to Spains' El Mundo newspaper.
The man charged with hiding the cash was then forced to change plan and chose to hide the money on a pathway leading up to Malaga's Gibralfaro Castle.
He tweeted this information via the @HiddenCash Twitter account, but only at 4pm, according to local daily Diario Sur.
Malaga: Castillo Gibralfaro 14 sobres listos! pic.twitter.com/gsRcx93rZy
— Hidden Cash (@HiddenCash) July 12, 2014
The original tweet informing people that there were 14 envelopes hidden in the grounds of Malaga's Gibralfaro Castle
He also made the decision not to post further tips where to search on the alternative @HiddenCashmlg account.
As a result, most people continued to search in the original location, becoming increasingly frustrated at their lack of success.
That frustration was also felt by city authorities in Malaga.
On Monday, they announced they had been left with a €2,000 staff overtime bill after treasure hunters trampled plants and damaged manholes.
Staff also had to clear up all the rubbish left behind by people hoping to find the hidden money.
La celebración de @hiddencash ha costado a @malaga 2.000€ en horas extra para arreglo de arquetas, plantas pisoteadas y recogida de basura
— Ayuntamiento Málaga (@malaga) July 14, 2014
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