Money makes Los Santos spin. Whether you’re saving up for luxury cars, buying properties, customizing weapons, or just stocking up on ammo, cash is always in short supply. While heists and missions are the main way to earn money, Rockstar hid multiple secret money stashes across GTA 5 – in caves, underwater wrecks, cult hideouts, and more.
Many players never stumble upon these locations during normal gameplay. That’s why we’ve created this complete guide to every GTA 5 hidden money spot, including coordinates, how to reach them, rewards, and farming tricks to help you stack millions.
Sunken Submarine Stash (Paleto Bay)
There is a famous GTA 5 money stash which is a sunken World War II submarine wreck buried deep under the water near Paleto Bay. It is an undisturbed and undefended place, and so suits beginners.
As you go in, you can see glowing briefcases sprinkled here and there around the broken parts of the wreck. Thousands of dollars are in each case.
- Coordinates: X: -1600, Y: 5250, Z: -20
- Reward: $12,000 per briefcase
- Pro Tip: This is one of the best spots for farming. Collect the briefcase, immediately switch characters (e.g., from Michael to Trevor), and switch back – the briefcase will respawn. Repeat as much as you want to make unlimited money.
Shipwreck Treasure (Del Perro Pier, West Coast)
Just off the west side of Del Perro Pier lies a wrecked cargo ship beneath the waves, one of GTA 5’s secret cash spots. This spot gives one of the largest single briefcase rewards in the game.
To reach it, grab scuba gear (from the Dinghy or Submersible) and head underwater during the daytime for better visibility. The briefcase glows faintly, making it easier to spot near the wreck’s midsection.
- Coordinates: X: -1700, Y: -2100, Z: -10
- Reward: $20,000 cash briefcase
- Pro Tip: Equip a flashlight while swimming — the wreck is dark and filled with debris that can block your view.
Altruist Cult Shootout Loot (Mount Chiliad)
The Altruist Cult, hidden deep in Mount Chiliad, is one of GTA 5’s creepiest side stories. If you deliver NPC hitchhikers to the cult, you eventually get ambushed. Defeating the cultists not only completes the encounter but also unlocks a huge pile of cash across their compound.
Every cultist drops money, and you’ll find scattered stacks inside tents and near bodies.
- Coordinates: X: -1030, Y: 4900, Z: 215
- Reward: Around $25,000 total
- Pro Tip: Use grenades or sticky bombs to thin out cultist groups. After the fight, sweep the camp carefully — many players miss cash piles near the watchtower and fire pit.
Airplane Crash Site (South Paleto Forest)
In the ocean south of Paleto Forest lies the wreckage of a small airplane. This location contains both a hidden briefcase and free weapons like an SMG and Assault Rifle.
It’s slightly harder to reach because sharks occasionally patrol these waters — so bring weapons or a fast escape plan.
- Coordinates: X: -2200, Y: 3300, Z: -30
- Reward: $7,000 briefcase + weapons
- Pro Tip: Switch to Trevor before diving. His rage ability gives you an edge if sharks or hostile NPCs show up.
Burnt-Out Cargo Ship (Humane Labs Coastline)
Near Humane Labs, far off the coastline, you’ll discover the wreck of a burnt cargo ship resting on the seafloor. This location holds one of the most lucrative briefcases in the game.
It’s a little tough to spot since the wreck is enormous, but you’ll usually find the briefcase near the rear end of the ship. Using sonar from a Submersible helps a lot.
- Coordinates: X: 3200, Y: 5000, Z: -25
- Reward: $23,000 cash briefcase
- Pro Tip: Memorize your oxygen levels — drowning here is common since the wreck is very deep.
Hidden Cave Money (North Paleto Bay)
North of Paleto Bay lies a secret underwater cave with one of the smaller yet easy-to-access hidden money stashes.
The entrance is narrow, so swim in slowly to avoid missing it. Once inside, you’ll see the glowing briefcase sitting against the cave wall.
- Coordinates: X: -1500, Y: 4400, Z: -30
- Reward: $12,000 briefcase
- Pro Tip: Equip a flashlight attachment for your gun before diving — caves are almost pitch black underwater.
Merryweather Heist Wreckage (East Los Santos)
After the Merryweather Heist mission, you can explore the leftover wreckage east of Los Santos to find more hidden money. This is a nod from Rockstar to encourage players to revisit mission areas.
The briefcase usually spawns near broken shipping containers and twisted metal pieces.
- Coordinates: X: 3900, Y: -500, Z: -25
- Reward: $15,000 briefcase
- Pro Tip: Bring the Submersible instead of swimming manually — the area is deep and disorienting.
The Underwater Hatch Easter Egg
One of the coolest easter eggs in GTA 5 is the mysterious underwater hatch north-east of the map (a reference to Lost). While it’s more of a visual curiosity, Rockstar hid small money stashes nearby.
- Coordinates: X: 3150, Y: -2850, Z: -20
- Reward: Around $10,000 in small briefcases
- Pro Tip: Visit this spot at night for the full creepy effect. You’ll notice the hatch glowing softly while emitting creepy ambient noises.
Random Event Money Stashes
GTA 5 also can spawn random money events anywhere on the map, outside of fixed hidden briefcases. These are ATM robberies, armored van heists, and cash carrying NPCs.
- Locations: Los Santos streets, Vinewood, Sandy Shores roads
- Reward: $5,000 – $10,000 per event
- Pro Tip: Drive slowly at night in Vinewood or Sandy Shores to trigger ATM robberies. Stop the criminal and claim the stolen money as your reward.
Unlimited Respawn Farming Trick
Here’s the ultimate farming exploit: all underwater money briefcases respawn if you switch characters.
- Collect a briefcase (e.g., from the Submarine Wreck).
- Switch from Michael → Franklin → back to Michael.
- The briefcase reappears instantly.
By repeating this trick, you can earn millions in under an hour.
- Best Farming Spots: Submarine Wreck ($12,000), Burnt Cargo Ship ($23,000), Shipwreck Treasure ($20,000)
- Reward: Unlimited money
- Pro Tip: Save your game before starting. If you mismanage oxygen, you won’t lose your progress.
GTA 5 Online Hidden Money – Truth or Myth?
If you’re hoping to find GTA 5 Online hidden money spots, I’ve got bad news. Rockstar removed all static briefcases from GTA Online to prevent farming exploits.
Instead, GTA Online players can make money through:
- Heists (Pacific Standard, Diamond Casino, etc.)
- Contact Missions (Gerald, Simeon, Lester, etc.)
- Daily Objectives & Challenges
- Treasure Hunts (Double-Action Revolver, Stone Hatchet, Navy Revolver)
So while story mode offers tons of hidden car and money locations, Online mode forces you to grind missions and heists for cash.
Quick Reference: All GTA 5 Hidden Money Locations
| Location | Coordinates | Reward | Notes |
| Submarine Wreck (Paleto) | X: -1600, Y: 5250, Z: -20 | $12,000 | Unlimited farming possible |
| Shipwreck Treasure | X: -1700, Y: -2100, Z: -10 | $20,000 | Largest single briefcase |
| Altruist Cult Camp | X: -1030, Y: 4900, Z: 215 | $25,000 | Drops after shootout |
| Airplane Crash | X: -2200, Y: 3300, Z: -30 | $7,000 | Also contains weapons |
| Burnt Cargo Ship | X: 3200, Y: 5000, Z: -25 | $23,000 | Deep dive, use Submersible |
| Paleto Bay Cave | X: -1500, Y: 4400, Z: -30 | $12,000 | Hard-to-spot cave entrance |
| Merryweather Wreckage | X: 3900, Y: -500, Z: -25 | $15,000 | Found near shipping containers |
| Underwater Hatch | X: 3150, Y: -2850, Z: -20 | $10,000 | Easter egg location |
| Random Events | Varies | $5k–10k | ATM robberies, armored vans |
Final Thoughts
Learning how to discover a hidden money in GTA 5 is not only about grabbing some quick money, it is also all about what the game has to hide, easter eggs and some intelligent design. From creepy cult camps to legendary underwater hatches, every stash tells its own story.
If you’re in story mode, use these locations (and the respawn trick) to become a millionaire fast. But if you’re grinding in GTA Online, stick to heists and events – hidden money stashes sadly don’t exist there anymore.
So grab your scuba gear, switch characters when needed, and dive into Los Santos’ waters – your fortune is waiting.
FAQ
Where can I find hidden money in GTA 5?
Hidden money in GTA 5 is found in underwater shipwrecks, plane crashes, caves, and cult camps, with briefcases holding $7,000–$25,000.
How to get $200 million in GTA 5 story mode?
Use Lester’s assassination missions and invest in the stock market after the main story to make over $200 million.
How to become a billionaire in GTA 5 story fast?
Maximize the stock market assassination glitch after the final heist — each character can make over $1 billion.
How do I claim my free $1,000,000 in GTA?
Log into GTA Online during Rockstar or PlayStation Plus promotions — the bonus appears in your Maze Bank.
What are the hidden money packages in GTA 5?
They’re glowing underwater briefcases near wrecks and caves, each containing $7,000–$25,000 in cash.
