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<\/p>\nA COMPUTER engineer is planning the world's biggest treasure hunt – to find his \u00a3225 million bitcoin he lost to a rubbish dump.<\/p>\n
James Howells, 38, accidentally threw out his multi-million hard-drive containing the bitcoin during an office clear out in 2013.<\/p>\n
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A decade later, James believes that the hard-drive is at a rubbish dump in Newport, South Wales – and he's planning a hunt with a reward of \u00a310 million to whoever finds it.<\/p>\n
His treasure hunt has been backed by a team of investors who are willing to cover the cost of the search as well as any equipment that may need to be used.<\/p>\n
James is also preparing a "final nuclear option" of taking legal action against the Newport City Council if they continue to ignore his proposals.<\/p>\n
Search expert Keaton Stone said that this "nuclear option" is becoming increasingly likely as the council has refused to negotiate with James over the last decade.<\/p>\n
The council have argued that the chances of finding the drive, which James believes is now worth around \u00a3225m, are unrealistic.<\/p>\n The computer engineer has previously hired environmentalists and data recovery experts from around the world to aid in his desperate search.<\/p>\n In 2021, James even\u00a0hired NASA data experts Ontrack\u00a0– the data-recovery firm which recovered the battered drive from the Columbia space shuttle after it exploded in 2003.<\/p>\n Then, James said: "I have put together a full consortium of experts in the field to refute all of the claims that the council has said it has concerns over.<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n "I've spoken to data recovery experts who have worked with Nasa on the Columbia space shuttle disaster.<\/p>\n "They were able to recover from a shuttle that exploded and they don't seem to think that being at a landfill will be a problem."<\/p>\n Keaton said: "All that James ever wanted was for the council to see his presentations and hear about the experts we have on board.<\/p>\n "We have an answer for all their concerns, if they just sit with us, we can explain it to them.<\/p>\n "It would be the greatest treasure hunt of all time."<\/p>\n Keaton believes that the council's "bad attitude" has cost them millions of pounds, due to the price fluctuations in the cryptocurrency.<\/p>\n James has even offered the council a 25 per cent share in the funds, currently estimated at around \u00a350 million, and has pledged to invest in his community.<\/p>\n Newport City Council said his proposals \u201cpose significant ecological risk which we cannot accept, and are prevented from considering by the terms of our permit\u201d.<\/p>\n James, who is well versed in the dangers, responded by admitting: "Digging up a landfill is a huge operation in itself.<\/p>\n Adding: "The funding has been secured. We've brought in an AI specialist. Their technology can easily be retrained to search for a hard drive.<\/p>\n "We've also got an environmental team on board. We've basically got a well-rounded team of various experts, with various expertise, which, when we all come together, are capable of completing this task to a very high standard."<\/p>\n James has asserted that the search will take no more than 12 months, be aided by special AI technology, and that the council would not be out of pocket. <\/p>\n Newport City Council said James has made repeated requests for help – but that they remain unable to assist him.<\/p>\n A spokesperson said: "We have been contacted multiple times since 2013 about the possibility of retrieving a piece of IT hardware said to contain bitcoins, which may or may not be in our landfill site.<\/p>\n "The council has told Mr Howells multiple times that excavation is not possible under our environmental permit, and work of that nature would have a huge negative environmental impact on the surrounding area.<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/newspress-collage-23502208-1692108283413.jpg\")
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