An Albuquerque teenager is being praised nationwide after doing something few people would have had the courage to do — turning in a bag filled with $135,000 in cash that he found near an ATM. His incredible honesty has not only earned him public recognition but also a well-deserved reward and the admiration of thousands.
The teen, identified as 19-year-old Jose Lopez, was walking near a local bank when he noticed a clear plastic bag sitting by an ATM. At first, he thought it might be trash or forgotten belongings. But when he picked it up, he realized it was full of neatly bundled cash — later confirmed to total $135,000.
“I couldn’t believe it,” Lopez said. “For a moment, I just stood there thinking someone must have dropped it by mistake. I knew it wasn’t mine, so the only thing I could do was report it.”
Instead of keeping the money, he immediately contacted the police and handed over the entire bag. Investigators later determined that the money had been accidentally left behind by a subcontractor responsible for refilling ATMs.
Officers praised Lopez for his integrity and quick decision-making. “This young man set an example that our entire community can be proud of,” said a spokesperson for the Albuquerque Police Department. “He didn’t hesitate to do the right thing — even when no one was watching.”
The bank and the company that owned the ATM both expressed gratitude for Lopez’s honesty. As a token of appreciation, he was awarded a $500 gift card, a certificate of recognition, and public honors during a small ceremony. Local officials said the act of integrity was worth far more than any material reward.
“I know $135,000 is a lot of money,” Lopez said modestly during the event. “But it wasn’t mine. I was raised to believe that if you find something that doesn’t belong to you, you return it. That’s just how I was taught.”
The story quickly spread on social media, where users called him “a real-life hero” and “proof that good people still exist.” Many praised his selflessness, saying it restored their faith in humanity. “He could’ve changed his life with that money, but instead, he chose honesty,” one commenter wrote.
Even city leaders took notice. Albuquerque’s mayor released a statement commending Lopez for his integrity and describing his actions as “a reflection of the values that make our community strong.”
Ethics experts say stories like this are powerful reminders that honesty still matters — even in a world where temptation is everywhere. “He chose character over cash,” one professor noted. “That’s the kind of moral courage society needs more of.”
For Lopez, the experience has been both humbling and uplifting. “I didn’t do it for attention,” he said. “I just wanted to do what was right.”
His story proves that true wealth isn’t found in money — but in the values we choose to live by.
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