Street Scams in Montreal, Canada
Pickpockets, distraction thieves, fake petitions, and street hustles in tourist areas. Below are the street scams scams reported in Montreal — how they work and how to avoid them.
For broader context, compare this scam type with nearby destinations like Las Vegas, Miami, and Tulum.
Last updated: April 2, 2026
4
Street Scams Scams
10
Total in Montreal
How it works
Pickpockets target tourists in crowded areas of Vieux-Montreal, particularly during summer festivals and near the Notre-Dame Basilica. Distraction techniques are commonly used.
How it works
Near McGill University and along the Rue Sainte-Catherine pedestrian shopping strip, individuals carrying clipboards solicit signatures for what appear to be charitable petitions — disability rights, environmental causes, or children's charities. Once a signature is obtained, the solicitor insists on an immediate cash donation and becomes aggressive or follows closely if refused. The charities are fictitious and the cash goes directly to the individual. A secondary technique involves stealing a wallet during the distraction of signing.
How it works
Men posing as Buddhist monks on St. Catherine Street or in Old Montreal approach tourists, tie a bracelet on their wrist while chanting, then aggressively demand a cash donation.
How it works
People with clipboards ask tourists to sign a petition in French (even to English speakers) and then pressure them for a cash donation before allowing them to leave.
See all scams in Montreal
10 total warnings across all categories