‘Pirate’ Sends New Yorkers On Quest For Treasure Chest With $25,000 Prize

A pirate has come to New York City — and hes hiding more than a few tricks this Halloween season.

The mysterious figure known only as Captain Mortimer has buried a treasure chest containing $25,000 somewhere in the five boroughs, launching a real-life adventure that has New Yorkers racing to solve nine cryptic clues before time runs out.

The New York Treasure Hunt officially began this week, inviting participants to crack a series of puzzles that, when solved, reveal the exact location where “X” marks the spot. Whoever finds the chest first keeps the $25,000 prize — but theyll need quick wits, city smarts, and perhaps a little luck to beat their fellow hunters and the ticking clock. The deadline: Dec. 1.

Organizers say the treasure hunt is neither a viral gimmick nor a corporate stunt, but a “a modern-day test of wits, curiosity, and perseverance — meant to make even lifelong New Yorkers see their city anew.”

The object of the hunt is to decode a cipher that will lead to the treasure. In order to do that, participants will have to solve nine clues and identify the key to the cipher.

Each clue is a riddle associated with a New York City location of historic or cultural significance, and will require “on-site investigation and puzzle solving.” The clues will lead hunters to public spaces, so there is no digging, trespassing, or property damage allowed. There is also no reason to climb, jump, swim, or otherwise venture into danger. Captain Mortimer also asks participants not to interfere with any local businesses.

Each clue can be solved independently of the others, and each has a “definitive” numerical answer that reveals a portion of the cipher. Each part of the cipher corresponds to a word in the key.

The first three clues are available for free, but joining the full hunt costs $20, granting access to all nine and the tools needed to decipher them.

“This is hard. It is meant to be hard. It is also meant to be found,” the New York Treasure Hunt website states. “Good luck trying to use AI.”

Beyond the cash, the treasure hunt was designed as a way to revive something rare in the digital age: a “sense of wonder.”

“If you are unable to comprehend the rules set forth above, maybe treasure hunting isn’t for you,” the website states. “I think Dave & Busters is still open.”