A scrap dealer has received the last of an incredible windfall after the Bank of Japan replaced more than JPY1 million in damaged banknotes, part of a JPY5 million haul she found in a discarded loudspeaker she bought last year.
Huynh Thi Anh Hong receives her windfall
Huynh Thi Anh Hong received VND208 million from the Maritime Bank in HCM City on October 23, representing JPY1.14 million worth of damaged banknotes sent to Japan for replacement.
Hong said she would deposit VND100 million and spend the rest on her children's studies, their families in rural area and charity works.
Pham Huu Toan, director of Maritime Bank, said it received the money from Hong on June 2 and sent the banknotes to Japan for assessment and replacement. The Bank of Japan confirmed the serial numbers and authorised their replacement.
Huynh Thi Anh Hong
Tran Van Quang and Huynh Thi Anh Hong bought an old loudspeaker in late March 2013 for VND100,000, planning to strip it down for saleable parts. Inside the speaker they found a box containing 520 JPY10,000 banknotes.
They took the money to police and reported their discovery, but they were threatened by people claiming the money was theirs. Under the civil code, the discovery was announced and legitimate owners have one year to lodge a claim. No rightful owner came forward and ownership reverted to the finder.
At the eve of the deadline, a local woman claimed that the money belong to her South African husband, but police rejected her claim after an investigation. In June 2015, Hong received JPY5 million, but JPY1 million of banknotes were damaged.
