You’re broke in Los Santos. It happens to the best of us. Maybe you spent all your heist cash on a chrome Adder you didn't need, or perhaps you’re just starting out and Tired of being bullied by Lamar. Either way, everyone wants that "infinite" cash. But honestly? Most of the "guides" you see are just recycling the same outdated junk from 2013.
Finding secret money locations in GTA 5 isn't just about driving to a blip on a map. It’s about knowing how the game engine actually handles these spawns. Some spots only work if you're playing the Story Mode campaign, while others are exclusive to the chaotic world of GTA Online. If you go to a shipwreck in Online expecting a briefcase full of $25,000, you’re going to have a very bad, very soggy time.
The sunken treasure you’re probably missing
Let’s talk about the ocean. It’s huge, terrifying, and full of literal briefcases of cash. If you're in Story Mode, there are 12 "Hidden Packages" scattered around the map. Most are underwater. The big one? The sunken submarine off the coast of Paleto Bay.
It’s worth $25,000.
Back in the day, there was a "swap glitch" where you could switch characters and the money would respawn instantly. Rockstar "patched" it, but here’s the thing: it still works if you use the quick-save method. If you dive down, grab the money, and immediately pull up your phone to quick-save, then reload that save... the briefcase is right back where you found it.
Why the ocean is a gold mine
You've got the $25,000 submarine wreck, but don't ignore the smaller ones.
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- The wrecked cargo plane near the Altruist Camp has $12,500.
- The sunken tug boat near the Port of Los Santos holds $9,000.
- There’s even a wrecked biplane with $8,000 tucked under a wing.
If you don't have scuba gear, you’re going to drown. Period. Go to the Sonar Collections Dock (once you buy it as Michael) and use the Dinghy. It automatically gives you a scuba tank. No more frantic swimming for air like a panicked noob.
The Altruist Camp shootout is more than a side quest
Most people think the Altruist Camp is just a weird place Trevor takes hitchhikers for a quick buck. They’re wrong. If you deliver three victims to those mountain-dwelling weirdos, a shootout triggers. Once the smoke clears and the bodies are looted, look on the porches of the houses.
There are four briefcases there. Each one has $25,000. That’s $100,000 just sitting there for the taking. But remember, this is a one-time deal. You can't farm this like the underwater packages. It’s a "get in, get the bag, get out" situation.
What actually works in GTA Online in 2026?
GTA Online is a different beast entirely. You won't find those static $25k briefcases from Story Mode. Rockstar wants you to buy Shark Cards, obviously. But there are still "secret" ways to find raw cash without starting a massive heist.
Have you checked the Hidden Caches? These are daily collectibles. There are 10 of them scattered on the sea floor every single day. They only pay out about $10,000 each, but if you collect all ten, you get a $100,000 bonus. It’s consistent. It’s easy. It’s boring, yeah, but it’s guaranteed money.
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The "Drug Deal Gone Wrong" random event
This is basically a reference to No Country for Old Men. If you’re driving near the Chiliad Mountain State Wilderness, you might see a bunch of black SUVs and dead bodies on a dirt road. It looks like a scene from a movie.
Follow the trail of bodies down the hill. You’ll find a dying guy and a silver briefcase. It contains $25,000.
Pro tip: take the money and RUN. Shortly after you grab it, two trucks full of angry mercenaries will hunt you down. If you’re low-level, they will absolutely shred you.
Stop ignoring the stock market
Look, technically the stock market isn't a "location" on the map, but it’s where the real secret money lives. If you do the Lester Assassination missions after you finish the main story, you can turn a few million into two billion.
Literally. Two. Billion.
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Most players rush through these missions early on because they want the $50k reward. Huge mistake. Wait until you have the Big Score payout. Invest everything Michael, Franklin, and Trevor have into the target stocks.
- Betta Pharmaceuticals (Before Hotel Assassination)
- Debonaire (Before Multi-Target Assassination)
- Fruit (Before The Vice Assassination)
If you play it right, you'll never have to look for a secret briefcase ever again. You can just buy the golf course and retire.
The reality of "Infinite Money" glitches
You’ll see a lot of clickbait on YouTube about "New 2026 Money Glitches." 99% of them are fake or will get your account reset. The only "secret" that actually stays consistent is the game's internal logic.
If you're looking for quick cash:
- Hit the underwater packages in Story Mode using the quick-save reload.
- Complete the Altruist Camp delivery with Trevor for a quick $100k.
- In Online, hunt the daily Hidden Caches or Treasure Hunts (like the Double-Action Revolver quest).
Don't overcomplicate it. Los Santos is designed to keep you poor so you keep playing. Using the environment against the game—like the scuba gear from the Dinghy or the character-switching physics—is the only way to stay ahead.
Now, go get that scuba tank. The Paleto Bay submarine wreck is waiting, and that $25,000 isn't going to pick itself up. Just watch out for the sharks; they're way more aggressive than they used to be.