French newspaper Le Progrès reported on an astonishing incident over the weekend: a couple found 28 gold bars in their garden. But, as is the way with stories of this nature unsurprisingly, a court decision forced them to hand over the treasure.
It all began in 2002, when the couple bought a house. Then, in 2009, they accidentally discovered six gold bars in their garden. Then, in 2013, the jackpot deepened: the couple dug up a whole 22 additional gold bars.
The change of lifestyle brought on by this sudden wealth triggered suspicions and envy. A police investigation ensued following their unusual financial transactions.
The couple tried to prove their innocence and claimed that they were the rightful owners of the treasure. But the previous owners of the house, saw things a little differently. When the previous owners cottoned on to the find, they initiated proceedings against the couple in order to claim the stash for themselves, stating that the gold belonged to their grandfather.
The original owners were proven in court to presenting the truth of the issue.
In total, the damage amounted to 800,000 euros (£694,000). The couple had to return the remaining five gold bars and pay the proceeds from the numerous gold sales they had already made, amounting to 642,000 euros (£557,000) to the legally rightful owners.
