Shopper finds $16k of travellers cheques in thrift-shop suitcase, helps find owner: ‘Bless him’

After buying a suitcase from a local op shop, this man never expected to find a bundle of paper worth more than $16k in a hidden pocket.

Police in Alabama helped to facilitate “a Christmas blessing” for one woman who lost more than $A16,500 in travellers cheques more than a decade ago.

Last Monday, a local resident entered the Foley Police Department with an unusual case to report. The man had recently purchased an old suitcase from an op-shop, only to later realise it contained $A16,818 in travellers cheques stashed “in a pouch at the bottom” of the luggage, police said.

There were also signatures on the backs of the checks, which gave police enough information to track down Karen McGurk, the original owner of the suitcase.

Ms McGurk later told police that she bought those travellers cheques in 1997. She said she assumed they were gone forever when her home was burglarised a few years later, and the thieves made off with the suitcase.

“What she did not know is that (the cheques) never expire,” the Foley Police Department wrote on Facebook.

The man was able to track down the woman and return the cheques.

On Wednesday, Ms McGurk came to retrieve the cheques, telling authorities she planned to use them to pay off medical bills and to fund a procedure she previously couldn’t afford.

“This was most definitely a Christmas blessing!” the department wrote.

Commenters on Facebook soon erupted with praise for the person who returned the cheques as well as their delight over Ms McGurk being reunited with her money.

“How awesome for her. Thank you to the honest person that turned them in. Thank you Foley Police for investigating to return them to the owner!” wrote one commenter. “Amazing story!”

“Wow! What a wonderful story!” another said. “I hope that man is truly blessed, I know that he is for what the lady needs. God will bless him!”

The Waterfront Rescue Mission, which operates the thrift shop that recently sold the suitcase, added that it was “honoured” to be part of the story.

“Our store is honoured to have been the conduit for this tremendous Christmas blessing!” they shared.

This article originally appeared on Fox News and was reproduced with permission