Magician buys a homeless man a house – with some help from the internet

One of YouTube's top video producers raised over $40,000 for a homeless co-star from one of his videos, setting him up in a home - with some help from fans.

One of YouTube's top video producers raised over $40,000 for a homeless co-star, setting him up in a home - with some help from fans.

Last March, YouTube magician MagicofRahat recorded a short video that rocketed to the top of the viral charts - where he "made" a homeless man, Eric, win the lottery.

In fact, Rahat had given the shopkeeper $1,000 to hand over to Eric, pretending that the ticket was a winner.

Eric, however, insisted on splitting it with Rahat - saying he "wanted to share it with his friend" - an act of generosity that impressed viewers so much they wanted to donate more.

Thanks to a fundraiser set up in the wake of the video, Rahat found himself with a whopping $44,000 to spend after just 17 days.

That was broken down into:

• $11,000 for one year's rent.

• $3,700 for furniture and appliances

• $2,900 for utilities

• $5,000 for food, clothes, and supplies

• $21,400 in a bank account.

The video is truly a heart-warming experience, as Eric has picked himself up and found a job on Rahat's arrival, with no idea what's coming next.

It's amazing what a little generosity from a large number of people can do, especially with someone steering people in the right direction.

The MagicofRahat channel is one of YouTube's top 200 channels, and is more widely known for his pranks, particularly his series of drive-through scares on unsuspecting fast-food employees.