Hadjer Al-Ali, a homeless man in Amsterdam, discovered a wallet containing approximately 2,000 euros while on an empty train at Amsterdam Central Station.
Despite finding no identification inside, the 33-year-old promptly handed it over to the police, showcasing his integrity.
Al-Ali, who has been without a permanent home for 18 months, stumbled upon the wallet as he scoured the station for empty plastic bottles to exchange for money. Although authorities were unable to reach the wallet’s owner due to the absence of any identifying documents, they acknowledged Al-Ali’s honesty by awarding him a ‘silver thumb’ prize and a 50-euro gift voucher.
In a statement, the police praised Al-Ali’s actions, stating, “Because we believe in rewarding integrity, he was given a token of our appreciation. If the funds are unclaimed after a year, they will be retained by the finder.”
Reflecting on his actions in a video shared by local media outlet De Stentor, Al-Ali expressed his belief in returning lost items, hinting at potential positive outcomes from this act of goodwill. “Maybe the owner has a business that could offer employment, or a property where I could find shelter. You never know what may come of it,” he said.
