I Found a Bag With Documents or a Wallet - What Are My Obligations
You Found Someone's Belongings - Now What?
Finding someone's bag, wallet, or document puts you in a position where there are both legal obligations and moral dilemmas. Most people want to do the right thing - but what exactly is the right thing? In BiH there are clear legal norms, as well as simple and effective solutions.
What the Law Says in BiH
According to the Law on Obligations and police regulations in BiH:
- The finder has no right to keep a found item without attempting to return it to the owner
- You are obliged to hand the found item over to the owner or police
- Keeping someone else's property can be considered a criminal offense (misappropriation)
- A finder who returns an item can expect a reward from the owner (but the owner is not legally obliged to give one)
Practical Steps If I Find a Wallet or Document
- Do not use the money or cards from the found wallet - that is a criminal offense
- Hand it to the police if it contains documents (ID card, driver's license, passport) - police have a system for returning them
- Post on Nadjime.ba under the Found category - do not reveal all details, just enough for the owner to recognize their item
- Notify the bank - if you find cards, you can contact the bank whose logo is on the card to inform them of the find
How to Post a Listing on Nadjime.ba as a Finder
On Nadjime.ba you can post an ad for a found item. Here is how:
- Select the ad type: Found
- Describe the item without revealing all details (e.g., "Found wallet with documents, Sarajevo" - without stating the name on the document)
- State the location where it was found
- The owner will contact you and will be able to confirm details that prove ownership
How to Verify the Person Is the Real Owner
When someone responds to your ad, ask for details that are not in the listing:
- Exact name on the document
- Contents of the wallet (how much money, which cards, what else is in it)
- Color or a special detail of the item
Only when you are sure it is the genuine owner, arrange handover in a safe public place.
Reward for the Finder
Morality and law differ: morally, it is reasonable to hope for the owner's gratitude. Legally, the owner is not obliged to pay a reward unless they themselves offered one in a public ad. However, most owners who receive an item with documents express gratitude in some way - often spontaneously.
The right thing to do is also the fastest - Nadjime.ba, the police, or direct handover to the owner ensures the item goes back where it belongs.