Is it worth it?
An SCP-8508 instance, prior to being counted.
Item: SCP-8508
Class: Safe
Special Containment Procedures: SCP-8508 is held in a locked box in a secure locker in Area-57. Access is strictly forbidden except for testing purposes. All tests must be recorded via both reports and video. All personnel are to be informed before testing that attempting to steal, withhold or keep any of SCP-8508-1 for personal gain is strictly prohibited. All instances of SCP-8508-1 must be returned to SCP-8508 after the conclusion of the tests except when the test differs from the standard procedure. Should any instance of SCP-8508-1 originate from a country where the primary language is not English or where there are multiple primary languages, testing can only commence if the D-class involved speak the primary or most common languages in that country. D-class are not to be used for more than one test consecutively. The potential usage and accepted uses of SCP-8508-1 are currently under discussion by the Ethics Committee.
Description: SCP-8508 is a small wooden box resembling a jewellery or trinket box. The words ‘1 Timothy 6:10’ have been carved into the back of the lid. There are no other marks on SCP-8508’s surface, or any lock or catch. SCP-8508 was found by police in an abandoned house in [REDACTED], New South Wales, along with a number of projects in various states of completion. After being brought to the Foundation's attention by police liaison, SCP-8508 was transferred to Area-57. Analysis of the available security camera footage of the area around the house suggests that the person responsible for SCP-8508's creation was A█████ Dawson, an anartist with suspected ties to GoI-5869 ("Gamers Against Weed") and GoI-0267 ("Are We Cool Yet?"). Dawson's present location is unknown.
SCP-8508’s interior consists of a single compartment; whenever SCP-8508 is opened, this compartment will contain a quantity of currency (henceforth SCP-8508-1). Both the amount and type of currency changes each time SCP-8508 is opened. The inner compartment possesses spatial warping properties, as it is able to contain amounts of SCP-8508-1 that are larger than SCP-8508 itself. If the current instance of SCP-8508-1 is left within SCP-8508 and the lid is closed, it will dematerialise; all attempts to utilise tracking devices in conjunction with this effect have failed.
All recorded instances of SCP-8508-1 remained inert while within SCP-8508, with their anomalous effect only activating when used in an attempt to make a purchase. Tests have shown that all instances of SCP-8508-1 are legitimate currency; however, when any instance of SCP-8508-1 is utilised as payment for any good or service, all parties involved in the transaction undergo a parapsychic hallucination or vision wherein they witness a death linked to that instance of SCP-8508-1.
Analysis of the collected data from the SCP-8508 tests has established that SCP-8508-1’s anomalous effect activates as long as at least one instance of SCP-8508-1 is used in a transaction, regardless of whether any person involved is aware of the origin of the money, if all of the singular SCP-8508-1 instance is used or only part, if SCP-8508-1's effect has already activated, or if the transaction is legitimate or only for testing purposes. However, the effect does not activate if the SCP-8508-1 instance is given away, donated to a charitable cause, or deposited in a bank account and then used to make the transaction, implying that SCP-8508-1’s effect is proximity-based and applies only to transactions.
In addition, analysis of post-test statements given by test subjects has established that all persons involved in a transaction utilising SCP-8508-1 experience a psychic vision from a third-person experience, showing the circumstances of the death linked to the instance of SCP-8508-1. Afterwards, all test subjects will perceive SCP-8508-1 as being soaked in the victim’s blood, no matter the circumstances of the death. While the statements have been used to support police cases (and have led to multiple convictions), Area-57’s staff are investigating potential methods of empathic shielding in conjunction with the continued tests, as all test subjects reported feeling the emotions and physical sensations of all parties shown in the visions until their conclusion.
Addendum.8508.1:
When SCP-8508 was first brought into Foundation custody, initial tests determined that each instance of SCP-8508-1 consisted of valid currency; some instances had fingerprints, but no complete prints were able to be obtained. All successful investigations into SCP-8508-1 instances have confirmed that the instances are the same banknotes used in the original incidents; however, there remains a number of instances where the origin of the notes is unknown. While these instances are still believed to be valid currency, attempts to trace the serial numbers have universally failed. Traces of various bodily fluids, bacteria and recreational drugs were found on the majority of each instance at levels consistent with non-anomalous equivalents.
The fifth test resulted in the inadvertent discovery of SCP-8508-1's anomalous effect when part of the SCP-8508-1 was used in an experimental purchase. Following this discovery, a number of tests were conducted to investigate SCP-8508-1’s anomalous effect. The table below lists all tests with notable results.
Number of test
Type and amount of currency
Name of deceased
Name of person/s determined responsible
Circumstances of death
Notes
#5
$20000 USD in $100 notes
Carol Holmes, 20
Marcus Denman, 36, and Jason Brown, 40
Denman hired Brown, a friend of a friend, to kill Holmes, his partner, after forming the belief that she had been unfaithful to him (later proven to have been unfounded). Brown broke into Holmes’ residence; after a brief struggle, he murdered Holmes with an axe and dismembered her corpse for disposal.
First test where SCP-8508-1’s anomalous effect was activated, and the only test for over fifty tests that showed two perpetrators held equally responsible despite one not being physically present for the death. Moreover, Denman was found to have paid Brown with a wire transfer, not cash. The origin of the notes is presently unknown.
#22
A cheque for ¥312,945 yuan (roughly equivalent to $45000 USD), with the name of the payee left blank. The sum of ¥2,781,739 yuan (roughly equivalent to $400,000 USD) has been written and crossed out, but is still legible.
Yao Ming, 12
Zhou Wei, 37
While driving, Zhou failed to remain adequately aware of his surroundings and failed to stop in time, striking Yao when the latter attempted to cross the road. Yao was injured, but not fatally; upon realising this, Zhou repeatedly drove over Yao to ensure his death.
First test where SCP-8508-1 appeared as a cheque, and so far the only test where two differing amounts have appeared. Chinese laws state that the person responsible for a death by traffic accident pays one fine only, but if the victim is left alive and requires medical care for life, the person responsible must pay the medical bills, leading to drivers choosing to kill victims who would otherwise survive to avoid paying these bills. In addition, cheques are rarely used in China, and investigation found that Zhou paid the fine with a bank transfer; discussion concerning the reason for SCP-8508-1's appearance as a cheque is ongoing.
#37
₹510 Indian rupees in coins
Kiran Rai, 58
Isaac Eves (age unknown), CFO of Méndez India
Rai, a lifelong farmer, purchased SCP-9680 rice seeds from Méndez. Due to failures in Méndez’s genetic engineering process, the crops died before reaching full growth. As Méndez required all buyers to sell any seeds they owned before being able to make a purchase, Rai was left with no seeds and could not afford to buy more, having taken out a predatory loan to purchase the original seeds. Méndez provided replacement seeds for free, but the crops were eaten by pests. Méndez refused to provide further replacements, blaming Rai and other farmers. Left with no crops, crippling debt and no way to alleviate it, Rai hanged himself.
First test involving a suicide, first test involving an anomaly already known to the Foundation, and the first test involving an unintentional and unforeseen death. Méndez did not sell the seeds with the intention of causing any deaths, Eves and other Méndez officials did not know Rai beforehand, and Rai’s death could not have been reasonably predicted as a result of purchasing the SCP-9680 seeds. The SCP-8508-1 total is believed to be the amount Rai received for selling the seeds he had before making the purchase from Méndez, which was subsequently used as a partial repayment for the loan. Méndez offered no comment on Rai’s death.
#55
$5 AUD, one note
Thomas King, 10
Adrian Jones, 10
Jones found the SCP-8508-1 note in the street and kept it. King later confronted him at their school and attempted to steal the SCP-8508-1 note. Jones pushed King away, leading to King falling down the stairs they were standing on at the time. King’s neck broke on impact.
First test involving a child perpetrator. Police investigation found that King had repeatedly bullied and stolen from Jones in the past. Jones was questioned as to his intentions and insisted that he never intended to harm King and was only trying to defend himself. King’s death was ruled an accident.
#79
$200 USD in $50 notes
Maria Reynolds, 30; Paul Reynolds, 10; Sarah Reynolds, 8; Richard Reynolds, 5
Tessa Lyons, 47
Interviews established that Lyons was a habitual reckless driver who routinely ignored road laws, but had managed to avoid serious consequences in the past. Collected footage showed that while driving at over 50 mph above the speed limit, she swerved to dodge a car making a turn and hit the Reynolds’ car head on, with no survivors.
First test where the SCP-8508-1 instance was taken from the perpetrator rather than given or hoarded- interviews with Lyons’ family and friends revealed that she had been fined for speeding in the past and considered it to be the price for being able to drive as fast as she liked, rather than a deterrent.
#103
£1,000,000 pounds, as a cheque with the name of the payee left blank
Carmella Davison, 39
Joelle Davison-Michaels, 43
Victim and perpetrator are siblings. Upon the death of their mother, Davison inherited the sum of one million pounds, while Davison-Michaels was left the family home and car. Davison-Michaels was not content with the provided explanation (that she had been given more opportunities and assistance than Davison), protested and attempted to ‘trade’ her inheritance with Davison, who refused. After a week of continued refusals, Davison-Michaels set fire to Davison’s house.
First and so far only test where the victim did not die: Carmella Davison survived the fire, but was left comatose and with second- and third-degree burns covering most of her body. Davison remains in hospital; her condition remains stable but with little improvement speculated. Davison-Michaels was convicted of Davison’s attempted murder, arson and grievous bodily harm and sentenced to life imprisonment.
<Level 4 Clearance Accepted.>
Addendum 8508.2:
In June 2025, an SCP-8508.1 test led to the discovery of an incident of serious malfeasance by a Foundation official. The transcript of the test is provided below.
Date: 12/06/2025
Location: Area-57
Personnel: Dr. Kade Nova (he/she), D-61042, D-39175
<Begin Log>
<D-61042 and D-39175 are seated at a table in one of Area-57’s testing chambers, with Dr. Nova standing next to the table. SCP-8508 has been placed on the table between the two D-Class, next to the object provided for the transaction, a bottle of water from a nearby vending machine.>
Dr. Nova: This is Doctor Kade Nova, supervising a test of SCP-8508 at Area-57 on the 12th of November, 2015. D-61042 and D-39175 will be conducting the test. For the record, could one of you please repeat the instructions I gave you?
D-61042: When we open the box, there’s gonna be money inside. You want us to open the box, take out the money, tell you what kind it is, count it and see if there’s anything weird about it. Then we use it to buy something, and then we get to see some poor guy get killed and we tell you all about it.
Dr. Nova: That’s right, thank you. Please commence the test.
<D-61042 opens the box and stops, surprised.>
D-61042: Holy shit, that’s a ton of money.
<With D-39175's help, he withdraws SCP-8508-1, a very large, unbound pile of banknotes, and places them on the table next to the box. Several fall from the pile as he puts them down; D-39175 adds them back to the pile.>
D-61042: OK, so, this is all US dollars, from what I can see. Right?
<D-39175 nods, picking up a few notes and examining them.>
D-61042: I just can’t say how much right now, ‘cause their money’s weird and this all looks the same.
Dr. Nova: Understood. Go ahead and count it, please.
<Several minutes pass as the two D-Class carefully count the notes, separating them into groups and conferring with each other. Once they are finished, they double-check each group.>
D-39175: Got it. There’s fifty thousand US dollars here, Doc.
Dr. Nova: Exactly fifty thousand?
D-39175: Yeah, from what we can tell. All $100 notes.
Dr. Nova: Anything off about any of it? Rips in the notes, marks or writing on them, any of it feel different?
D-61042: No rips, nothing felt different. Didn’t see any marks, but I guess I could have missed them.
<D-39175 shakes his head in agreement.>
Dr. Nova: OK, just to check, could you try this out on a few of them?
<Doctor Nova gives D-61042 a Foundation-made variant of a counterfeit money detection pen. D-61042 uses it to test several of the notes, all of which appear to be genuine.>
Dr. Nova: Always good to make sure. Well, time for the last part, if you would.
<Dr. Nova picks up a notepad and pen from the table in preparation. D-39175 sighs heavily and picks up an SCP-8508-1 note.>
D-39175: I'll give you one of these notes for the water bottle. Deal?
<D-61042 grimaces, pauses and then finally speaks.>
D-61042: Deal.
D-39175: Done.
<Both D-Class freeze in place for several seconds. D-61042 doubles over, screaming, and then collapses to the ground. D-39175 drops the SCP-8508-1 note, vomits onto the floor, eyes streaming with tears, and clutches his face with his hands. Doctor Nova recoils and then goes to D-61042, attempting to help him up. D-61042 continues to scream and continually grasps his limbs and torso wildly.>
Dr. Nova: What happened? What did you see?
<D-61042 takes heaving breaths, attempting to speak, slowly returning to a stable state. D-39175 grips the table, his hand inadvertently coming into contact with the SCP-8508-1 note, and lets out a loud exclamation of disgust, shoving the note away from him and frantically wiping his hand on his uniform.>
D-61042: You fucking motherfuckers!
Dr. Nova: What?
D-61042: Fucking liars, you killed him!
Dr. Nova: What are you talking about? What happened?
D-39175: His fucking guts were hanging out!
<D-39175 retches, covering his mouth with his arm. D-61042 grasps the bottle of water from the table, opens it, drinks several mouthfuls and pours the rest of the bottle over his head, becoming visibly calmer as a result.>
D-61042: That fucking arsehole took all the money for himself, and then the guy… he…
D-39175: He fell off the roof. He fell off the roof and landed on the fence.
Dr. Nova: You said 'us'…?
D-61042: I mean you. The Foundation. Your bunch of fucking arseholes.
<Doctor Nova looks at both D-Class and nods slowly.>
Dr. Nova: You're absolutely sure it was the Foundation?
D-61042: Fuck you, I know what I saw.
Dr. Nova: I didn't see what you saw. Did you get any names, or a location?
D-39175: Ramon? Or Ramos. One of them. That was the guy who took the money. I think it said Director?
Dr. Nova: …great.
D-61042: It said Site-337 on the paperwork.
<Doctor Nova exhales deeply, and then writes quickly on the notepad. She tears two sheets of paper from the notepad and sets one in front of each D-Class, before passing his pen to D-61042.>
Dr. Nova: All right, you two take all the time you need and then when you're up to it, start writing down what you saw, every detail. We're going to need all the information we can get if we're going to do this right. I'm going to go make some calls.
<Both D-Class nod, though D-31975 is hesitant, and D-61042 begins to write as Doctor Nova steps out of the room, pulling out her phone.>
<End Log>
Note: Further investigation found that in 2001, Site-337 technician Damian Chambers was performing routine maintenance tasks on the outside of Site-337's main building when his safety tether snapped. Chambers fell several feet before landing on the adjacent fence, which impaled his body in several places. None of the injuries were immediately fatal, and Chambers inadvertently worsened his condition by attempting to free himself in a panicked state. Chambers was freed from the fence and taken to the closest hospital, but ultimately died from blood loss. Chambers' death was declared a tragic accident by Site-337's Director, Simon Ramon.
The SCP-8508-1 test prompted a thorough investigation of Ramon and Site-337, which found that Ramon had repeatedly embezzled funds from Site-337, most notably from those earmarked for safety equipment, such as the $50,000 seen in the above test. As a result, Site-337's employees were often forced to use equipment that was damaged, outdated or otherwise flawed and had not been replaced or repaired, as in Chambers' case. Ramon was relieved of his position and taken into custody for embezzlement, manslaughter and gross misconduct. Further investigation is ongoing, particularly with regard to other injuries and deaths that occurred as a result of Ramon's embezzlement.
Addendum 8508.3:
In January 2026, Area-57 analysts conducted a detailed analysis of the results of every SCP-8508 test, excepting those wherein the anomalous effect of SCP-8508-1 were not triggered. While the majority of categories (location, nationalities of those involved, age of victims, method of death, reason for the death) showed no noticeable recurrences, there were two exceptions: first, the form of currency that appeared most frequently in the tests was the US dollar, and second, in contrast to several of the tests shown in Addendum.8508.2, the majority of SCP-8508-1 instances came to less than $50 USD in value.