[anonporridge]

Interesting side note. That's true for property, but not for cash.

Cash is legally considered fungible. So, if someone steals a bunch of cash and buys something from you with it, even though that specific cash technically belonged to someone else before theft, it can't be reclaimed even if they can prove it.

[jakeinspace]

I'm aware of this, but I do wonder what happens if, rather than using the stolen cash to purchase goods, the thief gave away the money? Either to friends, a random homeless person on the street, or to registered charities. Would that be still considered unreclaimable?

[anonporridge]

idk. Maybe buy a random thing from them for an absurd amount?

Or just make it rain on so many people that it's effectively impossible to get it all back. The power of decentralization.