Have you found a ₹500 note on Delhi streets yet? Meet the mastermind behind it
While money may not grow on trees, it can be found hidden within them, in the Capital. Have you stumbled across the recent viral Instagram reels that show a person hiding ₹500 notes in some nooks and crannies across the city, urging people to find these? Initiated anonymously by the page @treasurehunts_delhi, the brain behind this venture has turned the city into a playground! But why? “I just want to spread happiness. My inspiration also comes from my father who has always gone out of his way to help people,” he tells us, on condition of anonymity, adding, “Finding the money may not change someone’s life, but it could provide a meal for a person, a reason to party, or just become a reason to experience adventure!”
A gaming artist by profession, he shares that he started the page on February 25 after spotting a ripped-up hoarding near the IP Extension Metro Station, and thought how much fun would it be if he hides money in the gaps. “When I uploaded the video asking people to find the money, in the beginning, people thought I was faking it. And rightfully so. But I knew that once people find the notes, they will know the truth. The page blew up (garnering over 26.9k followers in less than a month) as soon as I started sharing the evidence from finders who were actually able to complete the quest,” he shares.
On how he is able to fund this expedition, he confesses, “There are no investors in the picture. This money is from my own savings, and I have conducted over 30 hunts so far, spending about ₹15,000, excluding travel expenses. As a gaming enthusiast and having worked in the gaming industry, I felt like starting a real-life side quest in which people can win something valuable... And I will keep doing it. Every day the number of hunts will keep increasing. Over time, I have plans of bringing in investors who will help make Treasure Hunt Delhi evolve into Treasure Hunt India!”
Despite these grand plans, he aims to continue behind the curtains. “I don’t want to be known by my face, but by what I do. My family knows what I am doing is right and support me in what I do,” he says, adding, “I believe putting positive energy into the universe will only mirror it back into my life. I hope to influence others to be selfless and compassionate too.”
Having worked in the video game industry, I felt like starting a real-life side quest in which people can win something valuable. FOUNDER OF TREASUREHUNTS_DELHI