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Posted on 05/22/2025 1:28:12 AM PDT by Jonty30
You can find many unusual things in gardens, but stumbling upon a treasure worth millions of Dollars isn’t exactly common. Michel Dupont, a 52-year-old farmer from Auvergne, accidentally discovered a gold deposit on his land valued at 4 billion Dollars. This discovery stands as one of the most significant finds in French history.
However, Dupont’s joy was short-lived, as the government soon informed him that everything found beneath his garden legally belongs to the state. The discovery occurred while Dupont was walking along a stream on his farm and noticed a strange shimmer in the water. He dug into the soil and found several fragments of gold.
Once Dupont realized there were large amounts of gold in his garden, he began to spread the word. However, he didn’t expect that members of the government would also catch wind of the news. Officials visited the property to inform the farmer about the temporary suspension of all mining activities.
According to French law, the subsoil does not belong to the landowner, but to the state. Therefore, Michel Dupont cannot begin mining operations on his own initiative.
(Excerpt) Read more at en.as.com ...
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Like the guy who found that pirate treasure hole in Canada, the one with the History Channel show fruitlessly trying to find it. The guy that went digging XX years ago probably found it, told everyone he didn’t, and then cashed in/laundered the money. I am a little irritated with that one for the fact it was part of history
“Once Dupont realized there were large amounts of gold in his garden, he began to spread the word.”
And….the 2025 Darwin Award goes to…. [drumroll]…
I’d revise your statement by replacing “in Europe” with “ANYWHERE”…
You find it, it’s yours, and figure out a way to make it work for you, very quietly and carefully.
“Once Dupont realized there were large amounts of gold in his garden, he began to spread the word.”
What a jackass.
Another case of stupid headline about stupid treasure finder. The story says found in his “garden”. No, it was found in water, and it was not underground as he saw it on the surface. What is European law regarding finds on the surface rather than underground? Of course, this may indicate more underground, but initially what he found was on the surface.
Supposedly I can dig down up to 15 feet on my property. I do not own the mineral rights.
Exactly. Dude! Shut the hell up! Get your shovel. Start digging. Quietly sell off any gold you find. Do whatever you have to do. Move it in small amounts. Set up anonymous offshore shell companies and deposit the gold and any cash generated by selling it with the shell company. Buy a boat and sail the stuff to a foreign country where you can dispose of it if you have to.
NEVER EVER EVER let the government know. Especially in Europe. You just know those greedy socialist bastards will steal everything and not leave you a pot to piss in. They’re always desperate for cash to pay for all that socialism just a little bit longer.
Europe?? If you bought a home in a city or suburb, It’s the same here in the U.S. at least in LaLa Maryland when you by a place zoned for homes.
In Pennsylvania, the owner of a home has the mineral rights to 20 feet below the foundation and air space rights 20 feet above the roof line.
There is an exception for those property owners who have purchased the mineral rights in a specific zone for mining (but it is costly and even those rights have a depth limit of 300 feet).
I wouldn’t tell a soul. Not anyone anywhere. Not only the gov., but thieves as well. He let 4 billion big boys slip right through his hands. A while back, some left wing thief wanted to tax residents with wells. His bill didn’t pass, or the gov would have taxed our water. How they would go about that, I’m not sure, probably have a meter attached. If they get their way, they’ll figure out a way to tax the air you breath. Governments will steal as much as they can.
“Hey everybody!! I found obscene amounts of gold in my back yard! Back left corner next to the daisy’s! You can’t miss it! I’m gonna be rich and you’re not!!!”
he began to spread the word, his first mistake, stupid
Once Dupont realized there were large amounts of gold in his garden, he began to spread the word.
+++++++++++++++++++++++
Well guy, what the heck were you thinking?
gold dealer: yes it is pure gold. where did you find it?
i was walking by the pond of euro disney, in the parking lot…. lucky me.
It’s been in my family for generations, since the 7th century. I just decided to do something with it now.
I guess he better not grow any potatoes or carrots....
At least according to Grok, it is possible to sell undocumented gold legally. As long as you pay the tax on it.
In France, selling raw gold without documentation is possible but comes with strict legal requirements and limitations. Based on the information available, here’s what you need to know:
Identification Requirement: You must provide a valid form of identification (e.g., passport, driver’s license, or residence permit) to sell gold, including raw gold. This is mandatory to ensure transaction transparency and compliance with anti-money laundering regulations.
No Certificate Required: You do not need a certificate of authenticity or assay report to sell raw gold bullion, which simplifies the process. However, having documentation like a purchase invoice or proof of ownership (e.g., inheritance certificate) can help verify the gold’s legal provenance and avoid complications, especially for inherited gold.
Taxation: Selling gold in France incurs a Taxe sur les Métaux Précieux (TMP) of 11.5% (11% precious metals tax + 0.5% social contribution) on the sale amount. For sales exceeding €5,000, this tax applies to unassembled gold coins, ingots, or debris (like raw gold). Alternatively, you can opt for a capital gains tax of 36.2%, with a 5% annual reduction after two years of ownership, but this requires proof of acquisition date and price. If you lack documentation and cannot prove ownership for over 22 years, the flat-rate 11.5% tax is typically applied.
Payment Restrictions: Cash payments are prohibited for gold transactions. Payment must be made by cheque or bank transfer to ensure traceability and prevent fraud.
Record-Keeping by Buyers: Professional buyers must record all transactions in a police book, including your identity and details of the gold sold, to prevent the sale of stolen goods.
Sellers’ Rights: You have a 48-hour right of withdrawal for most gold sales (except for investment gold like bars or ingots weighing over 1 gram), allowing you to cancel the transaction.
Practical Considerations: Without documentation, buyers may scrutinize the gold’s origin more closely to ensure it’s not linked to illegal activities. Selling to reputable professionals (e.g., registered gold dealers or counters) is safer than private buyers, as they adhere to strict regulations, reducing the risk of scams.
Recommendation: You can legally sell your raw gold without documentation like a certificate of authenticity, but you must provide ID, and the sale will be subject to the 11.5% TMP unless you can prove ownership duration for capital gains tax. To avoid issues, sell to a licensed professional, keep records of the transaction, and be prepared for tax obligations. For inherited gold, an inheritance certificate could help establish provenance. If you’re unsure, consult a tax professional or legal advisor for tailored guidance, or contact the Direction Générale de la Concurrence, de la Consommation et de la Répression des Fraudes (DGCCRF) at 0809 540 550 for clarification.
If you have further details (e.g., the amount of gold or specific buyer concerns), let me know, and I can refine the advice!
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