New York Couple Shocked After Reeling in $100,000 Safe While Magnet Fishing in Pond

A couple from New York caught a fortune while magnet fishing in a river. James Kane and Barbie Agostini picked up the habit of magnet fishing, to pass the time during the pandemic, Indy100 reported. The couple have stumbled upon many 'treasures' while magnet fishing across several waters in the last few years, but on May 31, they got something on their hands that completely changed their lives.

The duo shares their magnet fishing experience for the world to see on their YouTube channel. On May 31, both embarked at Flushing Meadows Corona Park in Queens, where their fishing magnet got stuck to something hard, Indy100 reported. The object turned out to be a mysterious box made of metal.

The couple opened the box, and found bundles of cash stashed in it, Indy100 reported. After counting, the duo calculated that the box had a huge sum of £78,000 ($100,000) within it. The notes were soggy due to being in the water for so long, but could still be used for transactions. Following the rules, they informed the New York Police Department (NYPD) about the box.

In the past, the 'treasures' that the couple retrieved while magnet fishing were old safes, which were typically stuffed with plastic bags or disintegrated cash, World War II era grenades, an in-tact motorcycle, foreign coins, and jewelry, the Independent reported. This was the first time they had unearthed such a huge amount.

The couple could not fathom what they had come across, NY1 reported. "I couldn’t believe it," Agostini said. "I lost it."

The detectives investigated the box and the cash within it, but could not find any criminal connections, Indy100 reported. Authorities told the couple they could keep the cash with them if they so desired.