Finding lost money

[Sadreddine]

Well, since it has been quite a while since I’ve been terribly participative, I’ve decided to start a thread about some interesting new I recently heard about, which seems to be related to the debate about morals in the other thread.

Mamadou Djouma, a young, muslim, unemployed immigrant of guinean origin, found €800 near a bank branch. He immediately took the money to the nearest police station for them to try to find the owner. He was later asked by a surprised media why didn’t he keep the money, to which he simply answered ‘that money is not mine’, which seemed more than enough reason for him not to take it, even though he was in such a critical financial situation, being an unemployed immigrant with a family to take care of. With a smile, he also stated that ‘I hope God pays me back for it when the time comes’.

As far as I know, the owner of the lost money hasn’t appeared to this date.

I took my time to search around, out of curiosity, the diverse reaction in forums, blogs, etc to this event, and was indeed saddened by the most common answers.

So, given you find yourself in the same situation, what would you do? Please be honest and keep it civil.

[Ummon]

Exactly the same thing.

[Lysimachus]

I have to be honest, i'd keep it.

[Enemy of the State]

As much as I'd like to say that I'd try to find the owner, I'd probably keep it.

[handsome pete]

who carries 800 pounds around. drug peddlers, the extremely wealthy. if you or the police go around asking people, is it not likely to just end up in the hands of the dishonest.

wouldn't a more succesful tribe be one where people
a) sometimes find money sometimes lose money, it ends up equal at the end of day and you don't waste time
b) donate the money to people who you know for a fact do need it

if the evidence indicates that there is a way to determine who the money belonged to, that's different, but he was at the sign of the scene why would the police have a better idea of who it belonged to.

[Taiji]

I'd keep it figuring that God was paying me back for me previous good deeds ... lol only joking, I'd just keep it.

[Genius of the Restoration]

I'd hand it to the police. If it happened to me I'd be very grateful if someone handed it in. Probably buy them a carton of beer or something as a thankyou.

[Genius of the Restoration]

I think giving it to the police isn't because they have a better idea of who it belonged to, but because that's where the person who lost it will go to see if anyone found it. I think it's presumptuous to say that it's likely to end up in the hands of the dishonest. Unless of course you keep it yourself

The fact is it is someones money, and unless you somehow know for a fact that they got it illegally it should be up to them to decide what to do with it. I'm not deciding what to do with someone's money because I feel like I know where it should be going, that's their choice.

[Shams al-Ma'rifa]

The right thing to do would be to hand it to the police but I might grab a few stacks to reward myself for my honesty

[iudas]

I would most likely keep it, because I'd need it. If I were filthy rich, I would hand it to the police. Also, I find it horrible to do a good deed hoping God would reward you.

[Lysimachus]

I would most likely keep it, because I'd need it. If I were filthy rich, I would hand it to the police. Also, I find it horrible to do a good deed hoping God would reward you.

Exactly. The guy who handed the money in seriously needs to be compensated for his good deed.

[Genius of the Restoration]

Worse than not doing a good deed at all?

[iudas]

Morally, yes. Practically, no.

[Fiyenyaa]

If it was that much money, definitely hand it in.
If it was just a couple of pounds then forget it, it makes no difference.

[eregost]

If it was that much money, definitely hand it in.
If it was just a couple of pounds then forget it, it makes no difference.

This

[Lord of Lost Socks]

I'd give it to the police. If it was less than 20 euros I'd keep it.

[Boer]

I'd give it to the police. If it was less than 20 euros I'd keep it.

If it were a 20 or smaller I'd keep it, but if it were more I'd give it to the police.

[PointOfViewGun]

I didn't keep it in the past not planning to keep it in the future.

[Saxon wårolord]

I honestly don't give a damn, that's why I'd hand it to the cops.

[Chlodwig I.]

As far as I know, the owner of the lost money hasn’t appeared to this date.

I

How should one proof that it is his money?