A homeless man was questioned after handing out wads of cash to strangers from a briefcase.
An Iraqi man, known to locals as Haider, lives in a tent close to the train station in Belluno, Italy.
According to the Corriere del Veneto the man recently arrived with a briefcase filled with cash and began handing out €50 notes to passers-by.
Local police arrived on the scene and recovered €4,390, which was handed over to the local authorities.
City councillor Marco del Pont said: "Some people took the money and pocketed it, but others alerted the authorities.
"Local police arrived on the scene and recovered €4,390, which was handed over to the Municipality of Belluno pending a decision on how to proceed.
"The issue is that Haider, who is known to social services and has been living in the city for a few months after arriving from nearby towns, is not mute, yet he does not speak Italian fluently and, in fact, does not respond to those who try to speak to him. He does not know the language, has made no effort to learn it, and refuses any kind of help.
"Everyone knows him and I must say that, all things considered, he is well-liked. Many people have tried to help him; they’ve offered him food and shelter and attempted to find solutions to get him off the streets. But he has always refused food and declined offers of a place to sleep. Social services know him and monitor his movements and actions. He is in reasonably good health, given his current circumstances, but the whole incident was truly bizarre.
"So far, we haven't figured out where the money came from. We will now decide what to do with the sum after consulting the relevant authorities."
The incident took place on via Tiziano Vecellio near to the tent in which Haider lives.
While it was initially suspected he may have been playing a prank with counterfeit bills, after inspection they were found to be real.
Eyewitnesses described money spread out over the asphalt, and several weeks later no-one has come forward to claim it.
Haider has been unwilling or unable to explain how he came by the money, and after being interviewed by police, with the help of social services, returned to his tent.
