Pickpockets
Photo: Ypsilon from Finland, CC0 via Wikimedia Commons
Pickpockets steal small items such as passports, mobile phones and wallets from victims' clothing and bags. Pickpocketing is a very old crime that is continually being reinvented, and a hazard in most destinations. After all, almost all tourists and business travellers are likely to be carrying some money and/or valuables. Pickpockets can also exploit travellers' state of confusion and ignorance of local customs.
See crime, theft and common scams for other crimes or schemes against travellers.
Risk factorsThere may be pickpockets anywhere, but there are some high-risk places; usually the same as for other crime:
Pickpocket techniquesPickpockets use a variety of techniques, and only some of them are covered here. Their methods and motivations are exhaustively described at Thiefhunters in Paradise.
Protecting yourselfThe basics of protecting yourself are common sense:
See also
Sources and licences
- Guide text adapted from the Wikivoyage article "Pickpockets" by its contributors, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read on Wikivoyage · Contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Photo: Ypsilon from Finland, CC0 via Wikimedia Commons