Chris Brown's Rolex-Returning Fan ... FOUND!

Chris Brown is one step closer to thanking the girl who returned his lost $22 THOUSAND Rolex -- TMZ has learned ... the super-honest fan has come forward!

We spoke to the Rolex-returner herself -- a girl named Alisha -- who tells us she was in the audience at the VMA's with a friend -- when Chris took off his watch, dropped it on a trampoline ... and it bounced right over to her.

Alisha says she put the Rolex on her wrist -- then saw one of Brown's people looking for the wayward watch ... so she turned it in.

We're told the two parties got in contact after seeing the story on our site -- and Alisha was promised tickets to a show, backstage passes and a meet-and-greet with Chris.