MIAMI (CBSMiami) – The “free money” phenomenon that started in California has spread to South Florida.
A local couple is hiding cash in the area, and as of Wednesday night, three people had already found the loot at various locations.
Chantelle Morales, 26, is $50 richer, or at least she was until she spent her new-found fortune on lunch with her sister, thanks to the generosity of strangers.
Morales followed a clue, posted Tuesday on the twitter account for @HiddenCashSFL.
“The picture was exactly this, the Miami-Dade College Sharks and that little hut. So I knew it was a baseball field,” Morales said. “I spotted it hanging on that sign right there.”
Morales found an envelope wrapped in a plastic bag taped to a sign $50 tucked inside.
She posted a “selfie” with her discovery, and immediately set out to spend the money at a local business.
“It was really nice when I tweeted today about what I did with it that they tweeted me back, that’s exactly what it’s about.”
The husband and wife behind the South Florida cash drops want to remain anonymous, but say they hope winners pay it forward.
“It feels great. We feel very blessed that we’re able to do something like this here in our backyard. It’s a wonderful feeling. It’s great that the people who find these envelops are so enthusiastic about it,” the anonymous benefactor said.
By Wednesday night, two more people had claimed some cash.
Dozens of others across the country have lucked out in places like Texas, Arizona and New Orleans in similar scavenger hunts.
The hidden cash craze started in California, but South Floridians are glad it’s spread to the opposite coast.
“It think it’s a good idea. I know that’s been happening all over the country with people paying it forward,” Eric Henderson said.
Morales hopes future winners will spread the wealth like she did.
“It just happened to fall into the right hands. Literally,” Morales said.
The organizers for HiddenCashSFL are planning daily cash drops anywhere from Monroe to Palm Beach Counties.
They say as long as they have cash to give, they will share the wealth.
They are working with local businesses to provide other prizes as well.
To see the clues that could lead you to free money, visit twitter.com/hiddencashsfl
