A migrant worker lost about 15,000 yuan ($2,407) in Changning district Sunday afternoon after he fell off his moped on the way to the bank to deposit his pay for the year, local police said.

The 18,000 yuan in cash slipped out of the man's back pocket when he fell off the vehicle near the intersection of Jianhe and Beidi roads, police said. Passersby rushed over to grab the bills as they scattered in the wind.

"It only took a few seconds for people, including pedestrians and moped drivers, to grab all of the money," a witness surnamed Yu told Shanghai Television Station.

The worker sank to his knees and begged the people to return the money, but only two people bothered, returning 700 yuan in total, according to Shanghai TV station.

The worker was able to recover about 3,000 yuan by the time police arrived.

The case remains under investigation.