Street Scams in New Orleans, USA
Pickpockets, distraction thieves, fake petitions, and street hustles in tourist areas. Below are the street scams scams reported in New Orleans — how they work and how to avoid them.
For broader context, compare this scam type with nearby destinations like Las Vegas, Miami, and Boston.
Last updated: April 2, 2026
5
Street Scams Scams
11
Total in New Orleans
How it works
Individuals near Jackson Square, particularly around the tarot card reader section, approach tourists and claim they have a curse on them or their family. They offer to remove it for a fee, starting at $20 but escalating through multiple "required" rituals to hundreds of dollars.
How it works
Individuals dressed in saffron robes and posing as Buddhist monks approach tourists near Jackson Square and along the riverfront, placing plastic Mardi Gras-style beads around visitors' necks and offering a laminated "blessing card." Once the beads are on, they immediately demand $10–$40 as a "donation," becoming persistent and aggressive if refused. The beads have no religious significance and the individuals are not ordained monks.
How it works
On Bourbon Street and the French Quarter, individuals approach tourists and make an unsolicited bet: "I bet I can tell you where you got your shoes." The answer is always "on your feet, in New Orleans." The tourist is then pressured to pay $10-$20 for the shine plus the bet regardless of whether they agreed.
How it works
On Bourbon Street, a stranger says "I bet I can tell you where you got your shoes." The answer is "on your feet, in New Orleans" — and suddenly the stranger is shining your shoes and demanding $20. It is a trick, not a compliment.
How it works
In the French Quarter, some street musicians play near tourists eating at outdoor tables or standing on sidewalks, then aggressively demand payment, claiming tourists were in their "performance space." Some work in groups and surround tourists who do not pay.
See all scams in New Orleans
11 total warnings across all categories