You find a wallet thrown in a train car with no one around who could have dropped it. Inside, more than 800 euros in cash await. This is exactly what happened to Carmen, a resident of Pamplona, two years ago. In an impressive act of honesty, the woman took the wallet to the National Police. Now, two years later, she can say that her integrity has been rewarded—at least if you’re patient enough to wait.
The Story Unfolds
The details of this remarkable incident have been reported by the Navarra Newspaper. In November 2023, Carmen found a wallet on a train that contained not just cash but also documentation and credit cards belonging to a Turkish citizen. The total amount of cash found was 817.96 euros. Instead of pocketing the money, she delivered the wallet along with all its contents to a National Police station. Two years later, she was informed that no one had claimed the wallet, allowing her to claim the money for herself.
The Law Behind Honesty
This case exemplifies the intriguing intersection of morality and law. The Civil Code, established in 1889, addresses how to handle lost possessions. According to Article 615, the first step is to return a lost item to its rightful owner. If the owner’s identity is unknown, the item must be submitted to the authorities, who will attempt to find the owner. Should two years pass without anyone claiming the item, it is then returned to the finder.
Being Foresighted Pays Off
Carmen’s act of honesty required foresight as well. Upon handing over the wallet, she was informed about the legislation governing lost objects. To ensure she wouldn’t forget, Carmen set an alarm on her cell phone to remind her to check back in two years. When she returned to the police station, she was rewarded with the 817.96 euros as not a single claim had been made.
This isn’t an isolated event either. In 2024, two residents of Almassora also found 600 euros lying on the street and were similarly rewarded after returning the money.
The Consequences of Misappropriation
It’s worth noting that many people might have chosen to keep the money and return just the wallet. This would constitute a crime of misappropriation. Depending on the value taken, this can lead to fines or even prison time. If the found item possesses “artistic, historical, scientific or cultural value,” the offender could face six months to two years in prison.
In conclusion, Carmen’s decision to act with integrity not only ensured that she adhered to the law but also resulted in her receiving a financial reward. Honesty, it seems, does pay off, especially for those who are willing to wait.
Image | Catalin Cardei, Pexels