Street Scams in Monaco, Monaco
Pickpockets, distraction thieves, fake petitions, and street hustles in tourist areas. Below are the street scams scams reported in Monaco — how they work and how to avoid them.
For broader context, compare this scam type with nearby destinations like Hamburg, Marseille, and Munich.
Last updated: April 9, 2026
3
Street Scams Scams
10
Total in Monaco
How it works
Thieves operating around Place du Casino (Casino Square) target visitors wearing high-value watches. A 2024 Monaco Tribune court case documented an individual attempting to swap a €48,000 genuine watch for a counterfeit replica during a distraction — approaching the victim under the pretense of admiring the watch and requesting to try it on. The broader Côte d'Azur area recorded luxury watch thefts exceeding €8 million in 2024, with Monaco featuring prominently in cases.
How it works
Individuals posing as representatives of children's charities or disaster relief organizations approach tourists near the Casino de Monte-Carlo entrance and on the terraces around Place du Casino. They present clipboards with petition sheets — sometimes with fake logos of legitimate international charities — and pressure visitors to sign. Signing is followed by high-pressure demands for a cash donation, with amounts suggested in the €20–50 range. The operation is run for personal profit with no affiliation to any registered charity.
How it works
On the narrow streets of Monaco-Ville on le Rocher (Monaco Rock) near the Palais Princier (Prince's Palace) on Place du Palais, individuals offer to take visitors' photos with the palace guard or the panoramic view as backdrop. They use the visitor's own phone or camera, then demand €10–20 before returning the device. A variation involves asking the visitor to hold their phone for a group photo — using the moment to demand payment for their "photography services."
See all scams in Monaco
10 total warnings across all categories