What to do with HK$2m found in back of a taxi?

Police are in a pickle over what to do with more than HK$2 million left in the back of a cab in Wan Chai.

The best legal brains at the Department of Justice have been called in to sort out whether the money should go to the honest cabbie who handed it in or the 'Johnny-come-lately' owner of the cash.

The owner did not reappear to claim the cash, which he won at a Macau casino, until three months after the taxi driver handed it to the police. Under the Police Force Ordinance, property is returned to the finder, provided they are not a member of the police force, if no one else establishes a claim to it within three months.

'The honest cabbie can claim the money, but it appears the person who later came forward is the rightful owner,' a police officer said. 'The police may be sued by either the cabbie or the owner if we return the money to one of them. That is why we have to seek legal advice.'

Police believe the gambler is the owner because he gave many specific details about the cash.

Another police officer said: 'He was able to say the money was from Macau, the type of bag it was left in, and the material used to bind the wads of banknotes. He could also say exactly where and when he boarded and left the cab and other details.'

A police investigation found the owner won the money at a Macau casino in the middle of last year and returned to Hong Kong.