This thread reminded me of Pedro Zapeta:

Back to Guatemala, Sans $59,000

Two years ago, Zapeta was ready to return to Guatemala, so he carried a duffel bag filled with $59,000 -- all the cash he had scrimped and saved over the years -- to the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.

I'm not going to go into the immigration issue at all; because it doesn't have anything to do with the thread. Besides, it wouldn't "work"; if you returned the money they'd take it from him anyway. Point being, I bring this up to present this as a hypothetical example of how you may have found $40,000.

What if Mr. Zapeta, a seemingly hard-working, innocent, humble man had somehow, accidentally left this bag next to you?...instead of the cash being apprehended by customs officials? What if Mr. Zapeta had a medical/mental condition that made him lose track of his bag? Then we're in the situation that the thread originally calls for......what do you do?

Personally, when I first saw the thread, I agreed with the majority:

WTF? Is that a question? TAKE IT!!!

Second thoughts bring feelings of guilt, and the questioning of morals......Some will continue to justify though: "How does one just lose $40k!? He deserves to lose it!"

One thing though: How many times have you lost something that you knew, and told yourself, not to lose? Car keys? Wallet? Cell phone? Plane ticket? Pink slip? Cash?

What if we were Mr. Zapeta? Just think about it. Is it really fair for the government to play "finders keepers" ?

Edit: Oh, and BTW, if I found 40k in a public place, no. I wouldn't touch that shit. Too many risks and possible scenarios. If I did, however, find 40k in some random ass place.....I'd keep it.