A woman in Chongqing lost nearly 5,000 yuan ($784) after she drove away from a gas station with her purse on top of her car, media reported on Tuesday.

Police surveillance footage shows a number of drivers stopping to pick up the cash strewn along the expressway before driving away.

The woman, surnamed Wang, explained she had absent-mindedly placed her purse on her car while topping up her tank at the gas station. Wang said she had withdrawn the large sum to pay her son's school tuition.

"I can't believe I was so careless," said Wang. The purse also contained two IDs, nine bank cards, important papers, and her son's school admission letter.

Police have so far retrieved 600 yuan from three people at the scene.

"I do not expect to get my money back, I just want to find my cards and papers," Wang said.

A Chongqing lawyer surnamed An explained those who picked up the cash are legally obligated to return it or face charges of theft.

Chongqing Morning Post