We recently returned from a trip to Paris and wanted to share a pickpocketing experience that happened while using the metro.
We boarded a train near the Louvre Museum area. As we were entering the metro, two young girls positioned themselves in the doorway and physically blocked us while asking for directions. We kept trying to move past them, but it created enough distraction and congestion that they were able to work unnoticed.
After we got through and the train started moving, I noticed my waist bag had been unzipped. Fortunately, nothing was taken because both my wallet and phone were secured with clips/attachments. My husband realized his wallet had been removed from his front pocket, but it was also clipped in, so it wasn’t actually stolen.
The girls got off at the next stop. Shortly after, another passenger informed us that this is a common pickpocketing tactic, creating a distraction while attempting to quickly access valuables, often dumping items into a bag and exiting immediately.
Even though we were already fairly cautious travelers, this was a reminder that visible tourists are often targeted. Using physical security measures (clips, tethered wallets, anti-theft bags) made the difference in preventing loss.
0