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As worldwide journey rebounds to report ranges, an alarming pattern has emerged that each traveler must learn about: pickpocketing incidents are surging throughout among the world’s most beloved locations. Current knowledge reveals that sure nations are experiencing dramatic will increase in tourist-targeted theft, turning dream holidays into potential nightmares.
Thailand
Bangkok has formally been ranked the world’s primary pickpocket and rip-off hotspot for 2025, with Bangkok recording 9.82 rip-off and pickpocket mentions per 1,000 critiques. The Thai capital’s tourism increase has created excellent looking grounds for criminals, with iconic landmarks bearing the brunt of the issue.
The Grand Palace has been ranked because the worst web site on the earth for tourism crime, receiving extra mentions of scams and theft in customer critiques than some other vacation spot globally. Different widespread spots like Wat Pho temple advanced and Chatuchak Weekend Market have additionally stood out for the variety of pickpocketing and rip-off experiences.
Past Bangkok, Thailand’s resort locations are additionally experiencing issues. Phuket recorded 4.14 mentions per 1,000 critiques, largely associated to jet ski scams and overcharging at vacationer spots.
Italy
Italy continues to dominate European pickpocketing statistics, sustaining its place because the continent’s most problematic vacation spot for vacationer theft. In 2024, there have been over 2,000 reported robberies in Rome, a 51.3% rise in comparison with 2019. Pickpocketing incidents surged to 33,455 circumstances in 2024, marking a 68.0% enhance.
Rome’s most well-known sights have turn into infamous for theft, with the Trevi Fountain, Colosseum, and Pantheon persistently rating among the many most harmful vacationer websites globally. Florence’s Uffizi Gallery and Milan’s Duomo additionally characteristic prominently in pickpocketing experiences.
Transit hubs current specific dangers, with the Cinque Terre practice strains and the Circumvesuviana practice connecting to Pompeii and Sorrento being particularly problematic for vacationers.
France
France ranks second in European pickpocketing incidents, with Paris bearing the overwhelming burden. The state of affairs is so dangerous that the U.S. Embassy in France revealed an elaborate journey advisory cautioning folks in regards to the some ways pickpockets function in Paris.
The Eiffel Tower represents extra than simply romantic tourism, it’s turn into the place the place pickpockets are more than likely to be encountered because of the massive variety of vacationers concentrated within the space. Different main sights just like the Arc de Triomphe, Notre-Dame Cathedral space, Louvre, and Musée d’Orsay all characteristic prominently in theft experiences.
The Paris Metro system has turn into notably infamous, with pickpockets making the most of overcrowded trains and their fast sliding doorways to focus on commuters and vacationers alike.
Spain
Barcelona stays synonymous with vacationer theft, however the issue extends all through the nation. Barcelona nonetheless accounts for about 6 in 10 crimes within the metropolis; a big share happens on streets and public transport. Las Ramblas continues to be Barcelona’s most problematic space for pickpocketing, whereas La Boqueria market and the world round Sagrada Família additionally see frequent incidents.
The capital Madrid faces related challenges, notably round Plaza Mayor and the Prado Museum space. Even Granada’s historic Alhambra advanced has reported rising incidents of tourist-targeted theft.
Germany
German cities are experiencing important will increase in pickpocketing, notably round main vacationer sights. In 2024, Berlin police registered 539,049 offences (~1,500 per day).
The Brandenburg Gate has turn into notably infamous for pickpocketing, alongside different main landmarks just like the Reichstag Constructing and the East Aspect Gallery. The Holocaust Memorial space has additionally seen elevated incidents, whereas Munich’s Marienplatz presents related challenges for vacationers.
Netherlands
Amsterdam’s popularity for tourist-targeted crime continues to worsen, with sure districts turning into infamous for theft. Amsterdam’s Pink Mild District is infamous for its nightlife and pickpocketing, with 100 mentions per million guests, the place the world’s busy streets and bustling crowds could be distracting, making vacationers straightforward targets for theft.
The Anne Frank Museum space has turn into notably problematic, together with the zones close to the Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum. Crowded subway stations round these museums current further dangers for vacationers carrying valuables.
China
Shanghai ranks sixth globally within the 2025 pickpocketing and scams record with a rating of 51.83, representing a major concern for the hundreds of thousands of vacationers visiting. Whereas China historically maintained low crime charges, vacationer areas in main cities are seeing will increase.
Shanghai’s Nanjing Street procuring district has turn into notably problematic, whereas Beijing’s Wangfujing space and Guangzhou’s Beijing Street additionally report elevated incidents. Vacationer-heavy metro stations in these main cities have seen elevated experiences of pickpocketing focusing on overseas guests.
Czech Republic (Prague)
Prague ranked third on the record, with 6.51 mixed mentions for scams and pickpockets per 1,000 critiques. The analysis highlights that Previous City Corridor and the Astronomical Clock stay probably the most focused areas, the place massive crowds permit thieves to function unnoticed.
Charles Bridge has turn into more and more problematic for vacationers, whereas the Prague Fort space and Wenceslas Sq. additionally see frequent pickpocketing incidents. The rise in incidents poses challenges for each town’s tourism authorities and journey trade stakeholders.
Portugal
Portugal has seen a notable enhance in pickpocketing incidents, notably in Lisbon’s historic districts. The nation now ranks amongst Europe’s high ten for vacationer theft.
Lisbon’s Alfama district has turn into notably problematic for guests, with its slim streets and vacationer crowds creating very best situations for pickpockets. The realm across the Oceanarium and Dom Luís I Bridge has additionally seen elevated incidents, whereas the environment of Jerónimos Monastery proceed to draw each vacationers and opportunistic thieves.
Turkey
Turkey’s tourism revival has sadly coincided with elevated pickpocketing, particularly in Istanbul’s historic areas. The Sultanahmet District has turn into notably infamous for tourist-targeted theft, with the areas round Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque seeing frequent incidents.
The Grand Bazaar’s crowded walkways present very best cowl for pickpockets, whereas even the Topkapi Palace grounds and Basilica Cistern neighborhood have reported elevated issues with vacationer theft.
Greece
Athens continues to battle with pickpocketing round its historic landmarks. In October 2025, police detained a bunch working at Monastiraki, a reminder that theft is a recurring drawback.
The Acropolis and surrounding areas stay notably problematic for vacationers, whereas the Monastiraki flea market’s busy environment supplies cowl for thieves. The Athens Metro system has turn into more and more infamous for pickpocketing, and the historic Plaka vacationer district sees frequent incidents of tourist-targeted theft.
