A recent investigation into security in international destinations reveals which cities are most increased risk of theft for tourists. The study identifies Paristhe French capital, as «the pickpocket capital of the world» after an exhaustive analysis of thousands of user testimonials.
According to the site Radical Storage -specialized in tourism-the capital of France tops the list with the 16.5 percent of all reviews that mention theft crimes in the last year. Places with a large influx of people, such as the Eiffel Tower and the Montmartre sector, are the main focuses of this illicit activity.
Roma It occupies second position in this classification of insecurity for visitors. The Italian capital accumulates the 10.7 percent of negative mentions due to theft and scams on digital platforms. Official data indicates a 68 percent growth in crimes committed by pickpockets in that city since 2019.
Barcelona completes the podium of European cities with the highest incidence of these crimes. The Spanish metropolis appears in the 5.3 percent from criticism from tourists due to the loss of belongings due to carelessness or theft. Pedestrian areas such as Las Ramblas present the greatest risk for those traveling through the city.
The study also provides specific results on other types of crimes. Orlandoin the state of Florida (United States), stands out as the place with the highest proportion of reports of robbery with violence or intimidation, with a 12.5 percent of complaints. This figure is notable for travelers, since the destination is famous for its family theme parks.
On the other hand, the city of Delhiin India, has the highest percentage in the fraud category, with a 7.9 percent of mentions. Deception schemes at this entry point into the country include uncertified guides, inflated taxi fares, and currency exchange scams.
Tourist alert: the most common scams
The methodology of the report consisted of the scrutiny of 13,293 Google reviews published between October 2024 and November 2025. The experts searched for keywords such as «robo», «fraud» y «pickpocket» in 100 of the most popular destinations in the world to establish these statistics.
Among the most frequent tactics in Europe, the trick of «friendship bracelet» and the petitions for signatures for false charitable causes. Criminals take advantage of the distraction of tourists in spaces with many people to act without their victims immediately noticing.
Despite these figures, the report identifies safe havens for international tourism. mugla in Türkiye, Shanghai in China and Hanoi in Vietnam they filed just 0.1 percent of theft complaints. These cities allow for a lower-stress travel experience and a feeling of constant protection.
The massive influx of people is a determining factor for crime. Paris welcomed 48.7 million visitors in 2024a figure that promises an increase due to the reopening of the Notre-Dame cathedral. Given this reality, specialists suggest extreme surveillance of valuable objects in any busy historic center.
