Forget treasure chests; the real mystery lies in the unclaimed suitcases sold off by UK airports. One young entrepreneur has turned this modern-day gamble into a full-time career, documenting the often shocking, sometimes mundane, and occasionally vile personal items passengers leave behind for good.
The Business of Lost Property
Scott Fensome, a 26-year-old from Hampshire, runs a business reselling lost property, customer returns, and liquidation stock. A significant part of his inventory comes from suitcases and bags that have gone unclaimed at airports. If luggage remains lost for three months, many airports opt to send it to third-party auctions, where buyers like Scott purchase them sight-unseen, hoping for hidden valuables but often finding far less glamorous contents.
Scott has transformed his curiosity into a venture, sharing each 'unboxing' online. His videos pull in millions of views, offering a raw look into the forgotten belongings of travellers. In a recent clip that garnered 1.7 million views, he opened a discarded Nike Air backpack, which he bought for around £10.
A Backpack Full of... Rubbish?
The unpacking began inauspiciously as a cigarette butt and filters tumbled out. "That's great, isn't it? That's a good start," Scott remarked wryly. Digging further into the front pockets, he found a pen, a key fob, some loose change (shrapnel), two SIM cards, and several mysterious empty plastic bags. The main compartment yielded a pair of 'runaway' trainers, DeWalt headphones, reading glasses, safety gloves, and an empty Red Bull can.
The haul also included a jacket, a bricklayer's tool, a newspaper, a hi-vis vest, deodorant, a hotel invoice, and assorted electrical cables. "I was expecting a little bit more – it started off really promising," Scott admitted. Viewers were quick to comment, with one noting the owner at least took their rubbish home, while another joked it resembled their old school bag.
From Stained Pants to Jarred Broth
However, the workbag was far from the strangest discovery. Scott recalls the most bizarre item to date: a glass jar of bone broth found nestled inside a suitcase. "[It was] completely unexpected," he said.
In another disappointing unpacking, a suitcase contained broken Beats headphones, a battery pack, clothing, shoes, and, as an unwelcome bonus, a pair of stained white underwear. "They’ve got a stain in the pee pee patch. It’s disgusting. Vile. And I’m not wearing gloves," Scott said in the video.
Despite the frequent duds, the business has its rewards. "Some suitcases are full of surprises," Scott explained. "[The] most valuable [items] have been designer clothing and accessories, often brand new with tags."
He is also keen to address the ethical and legal side. "Legally, we cannot return items," he stated. "All personal information belonging to the original traveller is removed before the luggage is sold. And we never have access to their details. Anything that can’t be legally resold is filtered out by the supplier before it ever reaches us."
Scott's venture highlights a little-known afterlife for lost luggage and the rising community of bargain hunters willing to take a risk on the unknown contents of a stranger's bag.
