- A passenger found an unattended bag at Goa's Dabolim airport and opened it to find cash and lipstick
- They informed airline staff who advised contacting airport security before handing over the bag
- Reddit users warned against opening unattended bags due to safety and legal risks involved
A Reddit post making the rounds on social media discusses what a flight passenger did when they discovered an unattended bag at Dabolim airport in Goa. They opened the bag and found something rather unexpected inside it. But what has raised eyebrows online is their decision to touch it in the first place. In the now-viral post, the passenger narrates, "I was quietly sitting in front of my boarding gate G in the evening when I found a black MK bag on the seat next to me...we were sitting there for 45 mins and no one was there. At first I thought someone would come, but no one turned up."
The passenger claimed they informed the airline staff about the bag. They told him to inform airport security. The user explained, "Now, any normal person would have just called security, but I thought, it's an airport, the bag is already inside, there are very few chances of it having something bad in it. So I thought maybe I would find an ID inside and contact the person. So I opened it. Inside was just cash. 500 Rs notes. A bundle of it and some change, and a lipstick. Now, at this point, I cursed my parents for teaching me too much honesty."
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The user claimed that they then closed the bag and handed it over to airport security. The staff apparently scanned it on the conveyor belt at the security check. They counted the notes, which added up to more than Rs 50,000. The staff also took down the Reddit user's details. They concluded the post by stating, "I just hope that the person who thinks that only money and lipstick is all she needs to conquer the world gets it back." Also, what would you have done, guys, in my situation?"
I found a MK bag on goa airport. You will be surprised knowing what was inside.
byu/Any-Candy7793 inindia
Also Read: Why Travellers Are Asked To Reach The Airport At Least Two Hours Early
Reddit users had a lot to say about the passenger's action. Read some of the comments below:
"This could easily have been a scam! Good thing you returned it!"
"I'm surprised you opened it. I would never."
"Imagine if there was contraband in that bag and you were seen going through it on CCTV, then you wouldn't be posting here for sure.
"I would not have opened it if I were you. There are CCTVs all over the place, and the owner can claim that there was more money in the bag which you took before handing it over to the security. Very easy to get screwed in these kinds of situations."
"Someone carrying 50k in cash in an expensive bag just accidentally leaves it behind? Defo something shady. That money might be under investigation."
"Never touch any unattended items in public places. Even in certain airports, there are stories that the moment you touch an unclaimed item like a mobile phone, a few people will turn up quickly from nowhere, blaming you for theft, then the police, then a fine or a bribe, etc, etc. It's all a scam in the end, so beware and stay safe."
"I'd inform the security, that's it. I'd never dare touch an unattended bag like that because I'm way too paranoid. What if it's a trap set by the authorities (or rather, corrupt officers to scam/harass me)? What if it's a prank and I'd embarrass myself on camera? What if the owner returned the moment I touched it and raised an alarm, and everyone would take my video and make it viral, and I'd get arrested? And many more such questions would pop up in my mind."
Disclaimer: NDTV does not vouch for the claims by the Reddit users.
Travellers should remember that airlines and airports treat unattended baggage as a potential security threat. Such luggage is handled with extreme caution - it can be moved, screened, or even destroyed by security personnel if it is deemed risky in any way. In some cases, the owner may face consequences. If you see any unattended bag, inform airport security or an airline representative as soon as possible. Never attempt to investigate the bag yourself or touch it. Tell the staff the location of the bag and any other details you may have observed.
