Street Scams in Gdansk, Poland
Pickpockets, distraction thieves, fake petitions, and street hustles in tourist areas. Below are the street scams scams reported in Gdansk — how they work and how to avoid them.
For broader context, compare this scam type with nearby destinations like Hamburg, Munich, and Glasgow.
Last updated: April 4, 2026
4
Street Scams Scams
13
Total in Gdansk
How it works
Gdansk is the world's amber capital, but a significant proportion of amber sold to tourists is synthetic, plastic, or glass pressed to resemble natural Baltic amber. Fake amber is sold in souvenir shops, market stalls, and even in stores that appear reputable along Ulica Mariacka and in the Long Market area. Prices charged are those of genuine amber, resulting in tourists paying premium sums for worthless material.
How it works
Some shops offer to "authenticate" amber that tourists have already purchased or are considering purchasing, using tests that are rigged to validate fake amber as genuine or to condemn genuine amber to pressure tourists into buying the shop's own (equally fake) stock. The electrostatic test — rubbing amber to attract small pieces of paper — is easily faked, and shops may use heated plastic that passes the smell test superficially.
How it works
Ulica Dluga and Dlugi Targ (the Long Market) are Gdansk's most crowded tourist streets, where pickpockets target visitors distracted by the colorful merchant houses, street performers, and the Neptune Fountain. Thieves operate in groups, with one creating a distraction or bump while another removes valuables. The area is particularly active during summer festivals and events.
How it works
Individuals claiming to represent charitable organizations approach tourists along the Motlawa riverfront and near Green Gate (Brama Zielona), requesting cash donations for causes that cannot be verified. They use official-looking vests and collection boxes. The riverfront's scenic appeal and high tourist footfall make it a favored location for this type of approach.
See all scams in Gdansk
13 total warnings across all categories