6 World Tourism Cities Filled With Pickpocket Actions In 2025

Paris, France (Photo: Freepik/Freepik)

JAKARTA - Vacationing abroad is always fun, especially when we can enjoy beautiful, special culinary, and new culture views.

But behind the beauty of many world tourism cities, there is a small but quite troublesome threat, namely pickpocketing. In 2025, it shows an increase in reports of small crimes in a number of popular destinations, especially locations that are always crowded with tourists.

Data from the security forces and the latest travel warnings show a surprising pattern of locations with the highest pickpocketing rates. Here are six tourist cities with high pickpocketing cases, as reported by the Travelbinger page.

1. Bangkok, Thailand

Bangkok ranks first as the world's most pickpocket and fraud case city in 2025, with a record of 9.82 reports per 1,000 tourist reviews. This figure is surprising, considering that Thailand used to be known as a relatively safe destination.

Grand Palace is listed as the location with the highest tourist crime reports in the world, more than any tourist spot. Wat Pho and large markets such as the Chatuchak Weekend Market are also often referred to as the hotbeds of organized pickpocket groups.

The spike in cases in this short time has made the situation in Bangkok even more worrying. The explosion of tourist numbers creates a great opportunity for a network of professional pickpockets who disguise themselves in crowds. They take advantage of the chaotic situation at tourist attractions, when tourists are busy taking pictures or bidding on goods.

2. Roma, Italy

In 2024, the Roma region recorded 33,455 cases of pickpocketing, a 68% jump compared to 2019. In a day, nearly 100 people become victims of pickpockets in this city. There are also 2,014 cases of street robbery, an increase of more than 50%.

For British tourists, there are about 478 pickpocketing reports per one million visits to Italy's main tourist attraction, with Trevi Fountain in the top position.

The Colosseum, Pantheon, Termini Station, and public transportation are also often referred to as vulnerable points. The crowded atmosphere around Trevi Fountain makes pickpockets easy to act when tourists focus on throwing coins or taking photos.

3. Paris, France

Paris recorded 6.81 pickpocketing and fraud reports per 1,000 reviews and became the city with the second most pickpocketing cases in Europe. All five tourist attractions monitored in the study were in Paris.

Eiffel Tower occupies the most risky position, followed by Arc de Triomphe, Notre-Dame, as well as the d'Orsay Museum and Louvre. The arrival of large numbers of tourists during the 2024 Olympics also provides additional loopholes for the perpetrators.

Paris Metro is known as the most dangerous point. Pickpockets use overcrowded trains and fast doors closed to launch action in seconds.

4. Barcelona, Spain

Barcelona is known for its beautiful architecture and beautiful beaches. But this city also has an old reputation as a pickpocketing center, especially in La Rambla and Sagrada Familia.

Statistics in 2024 show the pickpocketing rate in Barcelona is 25% higher than Amsterdam and Paris. Metro, Barchelonesta beach, as well as narrow alleys in the Maritime Quarter area have become the favorite locations for pickpockets. Many of them work in groups, utilizing crowds triggered by street artists or markets.

5. Prague, Czech

Prague ranks third on the city list with the most cases of fraud and pickpocketing, namely 6.51 reports per 1,000 reviews. Interestingly, the rate of general crimes in this city is relatively low, but pickpocketing at tourist sites remains a big problem.

Old Town Hall and Astronomical Clock are the two most vulnerable points, followed by Charles Bridge which is increasingly often mentioned in recent reports. Prague Castle and Wenceslas Square are no less risky.

Tram trains, particularly routes 22 and 23 to Prague Castle, are often used as pickpocket operations during peak hours.

6. Amsterdam, Netherlands

Amsterdam recorded 100 cases of theft per million tourists. Areas with the most dense tourist visits are the most vulnerable locations, including the Red Light District, Museum Anne Frank, and Rijksmuseum.

The red light district is known as a pickpocket-prone place, especially at night when the atmosphere is getting more crowded and confusing. The area around Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, as well as the surrounding metro station also requires extra vigilance.

The city's busy geometry of canals and narrow roads makes it easy for tourists to lose focus. The presence of a legal cannabis cafe and a crowded night atmosphere make tourists more careless. This gives the professional pickpocket group the opportunity to act.