A mysterious tradie has handed a pensioner $5,000 before running away, leaving the retiree stunned and confused.
The 78-year-old, who requested to remain anonymous, was enjoying the summer sun in the front garden of his Auckland home about 2pm on December 20, when a man aged in his 20s approached.
The tradie knew the retiree’s name and asked for him, before handing over an envelope with 100 $50NZD notes and running away.
The pensioner followed after the man for an explanation, but he replied: ‘I’m just a delivery man’.
A month has since passed and the retiree is still yet to find out who the man is despite involving police and surrendering the cash in fear of gangland retaliation.
![A tradie aged in his 20s (pictured) has shocked a New Zealand pensioner by giving him an envelope with $5000NZD despite not being known to him](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/01/30/08/80619773-13022053-A_tradie_aged_in_his_20s_pictured_has_shocked_a_New_Zealand_pens-a-1_1706604009159.jpg)
A tradie aged in his 20s (pictured) has shocked a New Zealand pensioner by giving him an envelope with $5000NZD despite not being known to him
CCTV footage from a nearby home shows the ‘gym-fit’ man on the street around the time the pensioner was approached.
It was the second time he had appeared at the pensioner’s home. He had arrived days prior and asked for him but the pensioner’s daughter said he was out.
He was wearing all-black shoes, shorts, backwards hat and a singlet with light green stripes on the side.
The man also has a trimmed beard and appears to have tattoos on his right arm.
The image was released to help the pensioner get answers as to why he was given the cash and if he is in danger.
Shortly after contacting police, the retiree decided it was best to take himself and his wife to live in a hotel for a while.
Gangland activities are far from the pensioner’s life having only worked white collar jobs and helped start up a number of successful businesses.
![The retiree said it was a 'complete mystery' as to who owed him money or who the 'delivery man' was and fears it could be linked to gangland activity (stock image)](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/01/30/08/80619771-13022053-The_retiree_said_it_was_a_complete_mystery_as_to_who_owed_him_mo-a-3_1706605027835.jpg)
The retiree said it was a ‘complete mystery’ as to who owed him money or who the ‘delivery man’ was and fears it could be linked to gangland activity (stock image)
He said it is a ‘complete mystery’ as to why he was given the cash and who was indebted to him.
‘How would he know who I was? How would he know where I lived?,’ The pensioner told the NZ Herald.
‘I would have thought that anyone who knew me would know I would call the police straight away. I was always going straight to police.’
He also said it was particularly confusing as they were living at a home that wasn’t registered in either his or his wife’s name in past years and that not many people would be able to find him.
Police told the publication the old man could pick up the money if it remains unclaimed, however he is unsure if he wants to be in its possession.