Question 1

What is the "Fake Plainclothes Police Document Check" scam in Naples?

Accepted Answer

Two or three individuals approach tourists claiming to be plainclothes police officers conducting a routine document and currency inspection. Once the victim hands over a wallet or passport "for verification," accomplices swap cash or pocket cards before returning it. The scam is most active in the Piazza Garibaldi area around Napoli Centrale and along Via Toledo near the Toledo metro station. Real Italian police (Polizia di Stato or Carabinieri) wear visible uniforms and carry photo ID badges that they must show on request. If stopped, offer to walk with them to the nearest uniformed officer or police station. Never hand over your wallet — ask to see identification first and keep hold of your own documents.

Question 2

What is the "Motorbike Bag Snatching" scam in Naples?

Accepted Answer

Criminals on scooters ride past pedestrians and snatch bags, phones, and cameras in one swift motion. Naples has one of the highest rates of this crime in Italy, particularly around Spaccanapoli, the waterfront, and near Napoli Centrale station. Carry bags on your inner shoulder away from the road. Keep phones in pockets when walking. Use a crossbody bag with a reinforced strap. Never dangle a camera around your neck on a busy street.

Question 3

What is the "Pickpocketing on Public Transport" scam in Naples?

Accepted Answer

The R2 bus route and the Circumvesuviana train to Pompeii are notorious pickpocket hotspots. Thieves work in teams, with one causing a delay or distraction at the doors while another picks pockets. Distribute valuables across multiple pockets. Use a money belt for passports and large cash. Be especially alert when boarding or exiting crowded buses and trains.

Question 4

What is the "Unsolicited Gift Scam" scam in Naples?

Accepted Answer

Street vendors approach tourists with prints of landmarks or small trinkets as "gifts." Once you accept, their tone shifts entirely and they aggressively demand payment. Refusing after accepting the item leads to confrontation. Do not accept anything handed to you by a street vendor, no matter how it is framed. Keep walking and avoid eye contact. A firm "no grazie" with no hesitation is the most effective response.

Street Scams in Naples

Fake Plainclothes Police Document Check

Motorbike Bag Snatching

Pickpocketing on Public Transport

Unsolicited Gift Scam

Experienced a scam here?