The 31-year-old woman made a desperate plea to police after realizing the taxi had driven away with her handbag, filled with €13,000 cash and an additional 50,000 (€991) in Russian roubles.
She had no idea of the number plate, but was able to tell police of her journey from Piazza Risorgimento, close to the Vatican, to Rome’s Piazza del Popolo, Rai News reported.
With the limited information, the city police called the public transport operator, who was able to get hold of the taxi driver.
The driver confirmed he had found the missing handbag, and met with the Russian tourist and her husband to return it. All the money was found inside, Rai News said.
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