Mystery man gives away cash in New York

New York - He won't say his name, hides his face, and he hands out cash to anyone who asks in the middle of New York.

The mystery benefactor known only as Bailout Bill sat Wednesday behind a counter in the heart of Times Square giving money to hundreds of people waiting in well-below-zero temperatures.

From a window marked "Bailout Booth," Bailout Bill gave everyone at least 50 dollars, sometimes a lot more. He was dressed in wraparound black glasses and had a wool hat pulled low over his head.

Many of the people waiting for more than five hours were victims of the severe US economic downturn. Tens of thousands have lost their jobs in New York alone.

"I'm very appreciative. I might give some to my mother," said Leon McNeil, 25, after being handed 50 dollars. He was laid off by troubled department store Macy's last December.

Bailout Bill's giveaway aims to raise publicity for a website where you can advertise unwanted possessions.

He also wants to help ordinary people in the same way that the government is bailing out banks and other corporations, a spokesman, Drew Tybus was quoted by AFP as saying. (*)