12 Popular Cities Where Pickpockets Target Distracted Tourists

Popular tourist destinations draw large crowds, and crowded streets, attractions, restaurants, and public transportation can give pickpockets opportunities to work unnoticed. Some thieves work alone; others use distractions or operate in teams. A little preparation can make it much harder for them to get to your wallet, phone, passport, or bag. 

For someone looking to enjoy their hard-earned time off with a peaceful visit to a new city, the prospect of losing valuables without even noticing is unsettling. Of course, fear is no reason to stay home. But going in informed makes all the difference. Official travel guidance for the cities on this list repeatedly warns about pickpocketing, bag snatching, distraction theft, or related scams in crowded tourist areas. These 12 destinations are worth approaching with the same practical habits: secure your valuables and pay attention when crowds close in.

Barcelona

La Rambla, the Gothic Quarter, Passeig de Gràcia, and the metro are busy areas where visitors should keep a close watch on their belongings. Thieves may work in teams, with one person creating a distraction while another reaches for a wallet, phone, or bag.

Carry bags closed and in front of you in crowded spaces, especially at stations, on escalators, and while boarding. A zipped crossbody bag is harder to access than an open tote or a backpack with valuables in its outer pockets. Treat unsolicited help or any commotion that draws your attention away from your belongings with caution.

Rome

Pickpocketing is common in congested areas and on public transportation in Italy. In Rome, that makes the crowds around the Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, Vatican Museums, and Termini Station sensible places to be especially careful. Organized groups sometimes use distraction or jostling to reach a bag or pocket.

Keep your belongings in sight in queues, stations, cafés, and other crowded places. A money belt, zipped crossbody bag, or secure inside pocket can help, especially when the art and architecture are competing for your attention.

Paris

Thieves and pickpockets operate on the Paris Métro, RER trains, and at mainline stations. Line 1 serves heavily visited parts of the city, including Charles de Gaulle–Étoile, Châtelet, and stations near the Louvre, so belongings need extra attention when platforms and cars are crowded.

Around major sights such as the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and Sacré-Cœur, do not let an unsolicited offer, souvenir, or pushy encounter pull your attention away from your bag. Keep it closed, place your wallet in an inside pocket, and avoid displaying valuables. Paris transit officials also advise passengers to stay alert while using a phone.

Prague

Czechia is generally a safe destination, but official guidance warns that pickpocketing can be a problem in Prague’s major tourist areas, on public transportation, and in other crowded places. Old Town Square and Charles Bridge draw dense foot traffic, making them natural places to keep bags closed and valuables out of easy reach.

Tram 22 serves Prague Castle and other popular stops. As on any busy tourist route, pay attention while boarding and leaving, when close contact with other passengers is difficult to avoid.

Card skimming has occurred at some ATMs in Czechia. Use a machine in a secure, monitored location such as a bank, large hotel, or airport, inspect the card reader for signs of tampering, and cover the keypad while entering your PIN.

Lisbon

Portugal is generally considered a safe destination, but official guidance warns about pickpocketing and purse snatching at popular tourist sites and on public transportation. In central Lisbon, stay alert in busy areas such as Baixa and around Rossio, particularly when crowds are boarding or leaving buses, trams, and trains.

Lisbon’s trams, known in Portuguese as elétricos, include the popular Route 28, which runs through historic districts and crosses Baixa on its way between Graça and Prazeres. When the small tram cars are crowded, carry bags closed and in front of you and keep your phone and wallet in a secure place close to your body.

Amsterdam

Pickpocketing, purse snatching, passport theft, and bicycle theft all occur in the Netherlands. In Amsterdam, official visitor guidance says pickpockets can be active in crowded cafés, bars, restaurants, public transportation, train stations, and major events. Busy areas around Museumplein and the city center, including the Red Light District, call for the same awareness.

Keep valuables out of exterior pockets and never leave a phone or bag unattended on a table, chair, or floor. A zipped crossbody bag worn in front gives you more control than an open bag or a backpack carried behind you. Be wary if someone pushes, touches, or distracts you, because pickpockets may work in teams.

Istanbul

The Grand Bazaar is one of the world’s oldest and largest covered markets, as well as a major visitor attraction. Its crowds and narrow passages make it important to keep bags fastened and valuables close.

Street robbery and pickpocketing are common in Istanbul’s major tourist areas. Sultanahmet contains the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and Topkapı Palace, while the T1 tram serves both Sultanahmet and the Beyazıt–Kapalıçarşı stop for the Grand Bazaar. On crowded streets and transit, watch your belongings and be cautious if a stranger tries to direct you to a shop, restaurant, or money-changing service.

Florence

Florence’s historic center brings large numbers of visitors into a compact area around attractions such as the Uffizi Galleries, the Duomo, Ponte Vecchio, and the San Lorenzo market. Italy’s travel guidance warns that organized groups of thieves and pickpockets operate at crowded tourist destinations, on public transportation, and around stations, bars, and cafés.

Stay aware in queues and busy markets, where close contact and distractions make an unattended bag or accessible pocket easier to target. Keep bags closed and in front of you, and do not carry your passport, spare cards, and all your cash in the same place.

Bangkok

Bangkok combines the risk of opportunistic theft with well-documented gem, city-tour, and transportation scams. Keep cash and valuables secure in crowded visitor areas such as Khao San Road and around the Grand Palace, and take care when riding in open vehicles such as tuk-tuks.

In one documented scheme, a tuk-tuk driver or another stranger tells a visitor that the Grand Palace is closed and offers an alternative trip, then takes the traveler to a tailor or jewelry shop. The palace does sometimes close for royal ceremonies, so verify any closure through an official notice rather than relying on someone who approaches you on the street. Avoid unrequested shopping stops, agree on transportation terms in advance, and contact Thailand’s Tourist Police at 1155 if you need assistance.

Buenos Aires

Argentina is generally a safe destination for travelers, but street crime occurs in Buenos Aires. Official guidance identifies San Telmo and Florida Street among the parts of the city with higher crime rates and warns about pickpockets, cellphone and purse snatchers, and scam artists on streets and public transportation.

The mustard trick is a documented distraction scam. Someone sprays mustard or another substance on a visitor, then an accomplice steals from the victim while pretending to help clean the stain.

Keep belongings close on crowded trains, buses, and metro platforms. Carry only the cash and cards you expect to need, and leave your passport, spare cards, and other valuables secured at your accommodation. A photocopy of your passport is useful for daily outings.

Bogotá

The U.S. Department of State advises travelers to reconsider travel to Colombia because of crime and other security risks, so check the current advisory before a trip. In Bogotá, street crime can affect tourist areas and public transportation. Robberies have occurred in La Candelaria, and travelers should also protect their belongings on TransMilenio and in other crowded places. Do not hail a taxi on the street; use a licensed dispatch service, a reputable transportation app, or a taxi arranged by your hotel.

Official travel guidance also documents the criminal use of scopolamine and other drugs to incapacitate victims. These substances may be administered through food, drinks, cigarettes, aerosols, or paper flyers. Victims can become disoriented and vulnerable to robbery or assault, and serious exposure can cause loss of consciousness, memory loss, or death.

Keep food and drinks in sight, do not accept them from strangers, and avoid inviting a new acquaintance to your accommodation. If you suddenly feel unusually confused, weak, or ill, seek medical help immediately and contact someone you trust.

Hanoi

Vietnam is generally a safe destination for travelers, but petty theft, bag grabs, and pickpocketing occur in crowded tourist locations. Hanoi’s Old Quarter is a compact network of historic streets filled with shops, food stalls, motorcycles, and visitors, so it pays to keep valuables secured while exploring.

Bag snatching by thieves on motorcycles is common in Vietnam. Carry your bag in front of you or on the side away from traffic, and stay aware of motorcycles approaching from behind. If someone grabs your property, do not risk serious injury by fighting over it.

On weekends, Hàng Đào Street becomes a night market after dark. In any dense crowd, keep your phone and wallet in a zipped interior pocket or closed bag rather than in your hand, and bring only what you need for the outing. Keep your passport and other important valuables in a hotel safe or another secure place.