PearlFinder | Devpost

PearlFinder is an app to find your lost items.

Quick Hook

Every successful company in history has always put clients first. Amazon is one example. They focus on users and customer experience. We do not need to say too much about them today.

We always want to put communities, users, and citizens first. That is why we chose this project. We want to take care of our city. We want to help people find their lost items. We also want to tip the helpers. We want to reward good people. That is why we chose this project.

PearlFinder is not just a site that helps you find things. It is a site that brings back hope in humanity.

What it does

PearlFinder is a lost and found platform where users can create an account using email and password or Google authentication. Users can report found items and submit requests for missing items in one place, with clear updates and an incentive system for helpers.

We designed the platform to reduce imposters and protect real owners. People who submit a missing item request cannot browse every missing item on the platform. They only interact with items that match their case. When someone reports a found item, the owner must prove ownership before anything is revealed. The system generates specific verification questions and the requester must answer them correctly. For example the exact color, unique marks, what is attached to it, where it was last seen, or other details only the real owner would know. This keeps the process secure and prevents random people from claiming items.

For electronic items, proof is easier because there are strong identifiers like serial numbers, device names, receipts, or account information. For physical items, it is harder because there is often no built in proof of ownership. We can still improve this by allowing owners to upload a private proof pack when creating the request. This can include a photo they already had before it was lost, a receipt, a warranty card, engraving details, or a short description of a hidden detail that is not visible in normal photos. The finder never sees these proofs. They are only used for verification when a match happens.

PearlFinder also includes a tip system. Owners can reward honest finders, and the platform can track these tips to support the business and encourage good behavior. This helps create