Police are currently investigating a curious incident involving a bundle of cash that washed up on a beach along NSW’s south coast.
Residents expressed their surprise when they spotted a bag filled with cash and banknotes floating in the water at Kendalls Beach in Kiama around 1:20 PM on March 20.
NSW Police verified to 9news.com.au that officers responded to reports about the money and engaged with a woman present at the beach.
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Anna Tydd, a frequent visitor of Kendalls Beach, shared with The Bugle that she arrived to find an unusually high number of swimmers in the water.
“My friend Ian came back wearing goggles and said, ‘They’re swimming for money’,” said Tydd.
Ian reported that he saw $100 notes floating in the surf, with one swimmer emerging from the water holding a rolled wad of $100 bills amounting to approximately $1000.
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Tydd noted that locals were uncertain whether the cash was linked to drugs or if it was counterfeit.
She took the initiative to report the discovery to the police, who have confirmed that an investigation is currently underway.
According to NSW law, finding money and keeping it without making efforts to locate the owner can be classified as theft or larceny.
While there is a traditional “finders keepers” rule that might apply, individuals are required to make reasonable inquiries to find the owner or to hand it over to the police.
Anyone with information is encouraged to come forward and contact Lake Illawarra Police Station or Crime Stoppers at 1800 333 000.
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