Reckless Reality |

Most people can’t wait to claim their lottery winnings, but when Peter Dushop realized he hit the jackpot last August he didn’t rush out to claim his $3.6-million prize.

Instead, the 24-year-old realtor from Maple Ridge, British Columbia, put the winning Lotto 6/49 ticket in a safety deposit box and only told his mom about the win.

“I felt that was the best way to go, I needed some time to reflect on it,” said Dushop on Monday, when he collected his cheque.

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A shopkeeper has discovered a euro coin – with Homer Simpson’s head on it.

Sweetshop owner Jose Martinez found the nickel piece while cashing up the day’s takings in Spain.

The head of Spanish King Juan Carlos has been morphed into the unmistakable profile of the world’s favourite cartoon slob.

The monarch’s visage with full head of curls has been skilfully crafted into the pop-eyed, big-nosed, bald-headed features of beer-swilling Homer, complete with his 5 o’clock shadow.

“The coin must have been done by a professional,” Mr Martinez said from the Asturian town of Aviles, northern Spain.

“It’s an impressive piece of work.” Read the rest of this entry »

Franz Felhaber arrived at the Treasury Department carrying a suitcase stuffed with about $5.2 million in petrified, nearly unrecognizable bills.He asked to swap it for a cashier’s check.

 Money like this normally arrives after a bank burns or a vault floods. It doesn’t just show up at the visitor’s entrance. Felhaber provided several bizarre stories to explain the origin of the loot. Officials are still having a hard time figuring out where the treasure came from.

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10 million Zimbabwean Dollars = US$4

If you think the American economy is bad, take heart that it’s nowhere near the ultra-super-hyperinflation in Zimbabwe, once one of the richest countries in Africa. The country’s central bank has recently issued a Z$100 billion note (yes, Z$100,000,000,000). So, what would a Z$100 billion note buy you? About two loaves of bread (it won’t even get you lunch – you’d need at least Z$250 billion for lunch).

So far this year, the country ravaged by hyperinflation has been forced to print 100-million, 250-million and 500-million notes in rapid succession. All of them are now almost worthless. has become common now for Zimbabweans to talk of their daily expenses in trillions (one trillion is 12 zeros).

The money found hidden inside walls, suitcases and closets in one of Mexico City’s wealthiest neighborhoods came from the profits of methamphetamines sold in the United States, [DEA chief Karen Tandy] said.

Mexican law enforcement and the DEA worked for a year on the operation, she said. Read the rest of this entry »