Man who lost £600 million Bitcoin fortune contemplating purchasing landfill in hopes of finding it
A man who believes he lost a staggering Bitcoin fortune at a council landfill site is now contemplating the idea of purchasing the very site before it shuts down. James Howells, a resident of Newport in South Wales, recounted how an unfortunate incident in 2013 led to his ex-girlfriend discarding a hard drive containing thousands of Bitcoins, valued at over £600 million, according to the 39-year-old IT worker. Ever since the mishap, he has been on a quest to retrieve his lost digital riches.
Reports surfaced on Monday indicating that Howells might consider buying the landfill area where he suspects his digital fortune resides. The Newport City Council is planning to shut down and seal off the site within the financial year 2025-26, which could potentially dash any remaining hopes of salvaging the lost Bitcoins. The council’s decision to close the landfill was unexpected news for Howells, who recently had a legal bid dismissed by a judge to allow him to search for his discarded hard drive or receive £495 million in compensation.
Mr. Howells expressed his surprise at the closure plans, highlighting his disappointment as he no longer has access to the landfill site for his search mission. He expressed his concerns over the council’s actions, claiming that the council argued in court that closing the landfill to accommodate his search would negatively impact the residents of Newport, despite their intentions to close the site due to nearing full capacity. Reflecting on the sudden closure announcement, Howells remarked that although the landfill’s shutdown was anticipated due to almost reaching its capacity, he had not envisioned it happening so soon.
In light of these developments, Howells shared his contemplation on potentially purchasing the landfill location in its current state, with talks already underway with his investment partners. His willingness to negotiate the acquisition of the landfill signifies a strategic move to reignite the search for his lost Bitcoins while circumventing the obstacles posed by the imminent closure. Howells’ mentioning of this acquisition possibility serves as an intriguing twist in his ongoing saga to locate his misplaced digital wealth.
As reported, Judge Keyser KC dismissed Howells’ legal pursuit, deeming it unviable if taken to trial, signaling a setback in his efforts to access the landfill site for recovery purposes. Despite the recent turn of events, Newport City Council remains silent on commenting about the matter, leaving Howells to ponder potential alternate strategies to retrieve his elusive Bitcoin fortune. The unfolding story of James Howells’ mission to recover his lost digital riches continues to capture attention, showcasing the unpredictability and complexities inherent in the world of cryptocurrency.
