Is It Legal to Keep Money Found on the Ground?

Encountering found money is a situation many might find tempting to keep, but is it legal? The answer varies widely depending on local laws, and understanding these regulations is crucial to avoid legal trouble.

Local Laws and Finders Keepers

While the idea of "finders keepers" might seem straightforward, legalities can complicate the matter. In Sweden, for instance, the 1 § Lag om hittegods declares that you are required to return any lost money to the owner or to the police if you cannot identify the owner. If no one claims the money for three months, it becomes yours to keep. 10 kap. 8 § Brottsbalken indicates that retaining found money without attempting to find the owner is a criminal offense. This stance is particularly strict, especially for substantial sums. However, in practice, minor finds might not warrant legal action.
There is a notable case where a woman was sentenced for 500 SEK (approximately $50) for holding onto found money without attempting to locate the rightful owner. It's clear that the value of the find and your efforts to find the owner play critical roles in determining the legality of the action.

Factors Influencing Legality

Two primary factors determine the legality of keeping found money:

Reasonable attempts to locate the owner: If you make a reasonable effort to find the owner and have done so, it becomes much harder to argue against the finders keepers principle. In Australia, for example, finding a small sum (like 2 coins) and knowing there was no one nearby who could have dropped it, aligns with the finders keepers principle. Given the tiny value, nobody would typically care—making the case for keeping it a strong argument. The value of the lost item: Should the amount be significant (a large wad of bank notes, for instance), it is advisable to report it to the police. They will provide the necessary forms, and if the item remains unclaimed within a given period, you can reclaim it. This is a safeguard to ensure the owner has a chance to retrieve their lost money, while also allowing you to legally retain the item if no one comes forward. However, acting promptly and ensuring that all required forms are filled out is essential.

Conclusion

Ultimately, whether you can keep money found on the ground depends on local laws and the circumstances of the find. Minor sums might be more flexible, but significant amounts should be reported to the police to avoid legal issues. Finders keepers generally holds, but it's crucial to take reasonable steps to find the owner, especially for higher sums.

References

1 § Lag om hittegods

10 kap. 8 § Brottsbalken

Woman sentenced for 500 SEK (approximately $50)