Finder's Fee

An embroidered news article claims a Hong Kong taxi driver refused to return an expatriate woman's laptop computer (she'd left it in his cab by mistake) unless she first forked over HK$5,000 (add as many exclamation points as you see fit).

Worse yet, the piece froths, when she reported this extortion to the police she was informed: "That's the way it's done in Hong Kong". A police spokesman later denied her version, saying:

Members of the public have a legal obligation to return any lost property to owners, otherwise they may be in breach of the Theft Ordinance.

Given the reporter's proclivity for sensationalisation, I don't buy the story in its entirety, but if it's true that one must negotiate a finder's fee with taxi drivers to reclaim lost property, then it's a disgraceful custom. A taxi company operator said flat out:

This is common practice in Hong Kong. You have to pay.

On the other hand, I've heard several stories of taxi drivers returning wallets or mobile phones without asking for a thing, which demonstrates that dishonesty and greed aren't endemic; every society has individuals who will prey on the misfortunes of others.

Including a certain muckraking journalist.

← Older Posts · 早前 | →