Tourist Scams in Latvia

Riga is Europe's most notorious city for this scam. Friendly strangers invite tourists to bars where drinks are ordered without seeing a menu. Bills of hundreds or thousands of euros arrive — and bouncers have been documented using violence against tourists who refuse to pay.

How to avoid: Never follow strangers to a bar in Riga, especially in the Old Town. Choose your own venue and always see a menu with prices before ordering. The UK, US, and other governments specifically warn travelers about this scam in official Riga travel advisories.

Riga Central Market, housed in repurposed Zeppelin hangars on Nēģu iela, draws large crowds that pickpocket gangs exploit systematically. Operatives work in pairs or trios: one creates a distraction (bumping, dropping items, asking directions) while another lifts wallets, phones, or passports from bags and jacket pockets. The market's narrow stalls and crowded aisles make pursuit nearly impossible.

How to avoid: Use a front-facing money belt or an interior zipped pocket for cash and cards inside the market. Keep your bag in front of you and never place a phone on a stall counter while shopping. Be especially alert near the main entrances on Prāgas iela and in the meat and dairy pavilions where crowds are densest.

Taxis in Riga — particularly those waiting near the Old Town, cruise ship terminal, and at night outside clubs — charge tourists inflated flat rates and refuse to use the meter. Some target intoxicated tourists leaving the nightlife area.

How to avoid: Use Bolt for all rides in Riga — it is widely available, prices are fixed upfront, and it is far safer than street taxis at night. If taking a taxi, insist on the meter. Official metered rates should be around €0.70–0.90 per km.

Near Riga's Old Town, touts approach tourists on streets like Kalku iela and Tirgoņu iela and invite them to bars, sometimes promising companionship. Once inside, drinks are ordered by hostesses at undisclosed premium rates, and the final bill can reach hundreds of euros. Bouncers or intimidating staff block the exit until payment is made.

How to avoid: Never enter a bar at the invitation of a street tout, even if the offer sounds social or friendly. If you do enter a bar, ask for a written price list before ordering anything and confirm costs in euros. If presented with an inflated bill, calmly photograph it and contact the tourist police (tel: 110) before paying.

Bars in Riga's Old Town that actively target stag and bachelor parties run systematic bill inflation scams where drinks are added to the tab that were not ordered, prices differ from the menu, and multiple rounds are recorded for single purchases. Aggressive bouncers or male staff are present when the final inflated bill is presented, and groups are expected to pay without question.

How to avoid: Agree on drink prices before ordering and keep a running count of what your group has consumed. Insist on seeing an itemised bill and compare it against the menu. Pay by round rather than running a single group tab. Avoid bars with hostess-style street touts who offer "special deals" to stag groups.

Street-level money changers operating informally near the Central Market and in Old Town offer exchange rates above official rates to attract tourists, then use sleight of hand to shortchange customers during the count, or quote one rate verbally and apply a worse rate in the transaction. Latvia uses the Euro so any offer to exchange Lats (the pre-2014 currency) is a straightforward fraud.

How to avoid: Use only bank ATMs or official exchange bureaux with posted rates and receipts. Never exchange money with individuals on the street. If anyone mentions Latvian Lats, walk away immediately — Latvia has used the Euro since 2014.

Incidents of drink spiking followed by sexual assault and robbery have been reported in Riga's Old Town nightlife venues. Solo tourists and those separated from their group are the most vulnerable.

How to avoid: Never leave your drink unattended and never accept drinks from strangers. Go out with trusted company and look after each other. If you feel unusually intoxicated, go to a member of bar staff immediately and call for help. The Old Town at night requires significantly more caution than during the day.

Vecriga (Old Town), the central train station, the bus station, and the Central Market are prime pickpocketing areas. Professional teams use distraction techniques — a stumble, asking for directions — while an accomplice takes wallets and phones.

How to avoid: Keep valuables in front pockets or a zipped bag worn across your chest. Be especially alert at the Central Market and when boarding or exiting buses and trains. Do not keep your phone in a back pocket.