FUS_KEYWORD: Dijon boy finds 800 euros
A Civic Lesson Turned Windfall
In a that has warmed hearts across France, an 11-year-old boy from Dijon has been reunited with 800 euros he discovered in a bushone year after turning the cash over to police. The national police force praised the young finder as “a beautiful example of honesty and civicness rewarded,” in a social media post that quickly gained attention.
The boy, identified as Adam, stumbled upon the substantial sum June 2025 while walking home. Rather than pocketing the money, his mother insisted they bring it to the local police station immediately.When he showed me his find, I got scared,” she told regional outlet Le Bien Public. “As soon as got off work, we went there. I didn’t want to take any risk. It wasn’t ours. Adam understood that perfectly.”p>
Police Honor the Boy’s Integrity
Police officers were quick to commend the boy’s reflex. At the time, they issued him a citizenship diploma and explained a key legal detail: if no one claimed the money within one year it would legally become his. Adam also received a behind-the-scenes look at police work, including a canine brigade demonstration and a visit to camera surveillance control room.
“He thought about it all the time,” his mother said. “He was waiting impatiently for 2026 to find out if he could keep the money.”
The big day finally arrived a little later than expected. Monday, August 3, Adam and his mother were invited to the Dijon police station. There, officers formally handed over the euros, as no one had come forward to claim it. Adam also received a police insignia and spent an hour with officers, who showed him equipment, including disengagement grenades and an assault rifle.
2>Plans for the Money—and a Legal Warning
Now 12 and entering middle school, Adam already has plans for his windfall. He hopes to buy a phone and laptop, “and of course, a gift for my mother,” he said.
However, the original owner of the 800 still has the legal right to claim the money for an additional two years, provided they can prove ownership. French law is clear: hiding found constitutes a criminal offense punishable by up to one year in prison and a fine of up to 1,500 euros, in addition to restitution of the sum.
A Rare Positive Police Story
In a news cycle often dominated by crime security concerns, Adam’s story stands out as a reminder of everyday integrity. The police force’s public acknowledgment—and the boy’ eventual reward—highlights a system that can work when citizens act in good faith.
