Briefcase Man reveals identity, vows to continue charity work

The masked figure known as ‘Briefcase Man’, who has become a familiar sight handing out cash to strangers across Malta, has revealed his true identity as 23-year-old Gabriel Tonna.

“There have been moments when we had to stop filming many videos because we [he and the videographer] were attacked and threatened,” Tonna explained in an Instagram post on Monday evening.

The revelation came after Tonna said he was stopped by police for filming in public while wearing a mask. In a separate post, he disclosed that he had been contacted and informed that wearing a mask in public is illegal.

His stunts involved approaching random people whilst dressed in a suit, top hat, sunglasses and mask, opening a small silver briefcase and handing out cash or vouchers to those in need. The videos of these encounters gained significant attention on social media.

Tonna revealed that both he and his videographer had faced difficulties during filming. “People would be curious about the character and pressure the one person who would not be wearing one,” he said, adding that their videographer had been attacked on occasion.

During his reveal, Tonna displayed a battered silver suitcase, explaining it was the third one he had purchased for his charitable work.

He concluded by affirming that he intended to continue helping others. “I am not going to stop here,” he concluded, with his video ending with the words “Forever Kind.”