Question 1

What is the "Hauptmarkt Pickpocket Gangs" scam in Nuremberg?

Accepted Answer

The Hauptmarkt square — the heart of Nuremberg's Old Town and site of the Christkindlesmarkt — is consistently identified as the city's highest-risk zone for pickpocketing. During Christmas market season the square hosts hundreds of thousands of visitors in a compact space, creating ideal conditions for organized theft gangs. Thieves work in pairs or groups: one creates a distraction (bumping into you, spilling a drink, or pointing at something) while an accomplice lifts wallets, phones, or bags. The Schöner Brunnen (Beautiful Fountain) and the Frauenkirche steps are noted hotspots where tourists congregate and lower their guard. Use a money belt or inner-jacket pocket for passports and cards. Keep your phone in a front pocket with your hand on it when taking photos at the Schöner Brunnen. Be especially alert when crowds are densest — late afternoon and evening during the Christmas market. Bag zips should face inward or toward your body. Do not keep your wallet in your back pocket.

Question 2

What is the "Christkindlesmarkt Pfand Mug Scam" scam in Nuremberg?

Accepted Answer

During the Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt, most vendors charge a legitimate Pfand (deposit) of €2–3 on the collectible Glühwein mug, refundable when you return it. Unofficial and peripheral stalls — sometimes operating just outside the official market boundary on side streets off the Hauptmarkt — charge inflated deposits of €8–15 on cheap, non-collectible mugs with no intention of refunding them. Visitors who believe they are buying an official collectible mug end up paying a premium for a worthless cup. The scam intensifies in the final week before Christmas (December 17–24) when crowds peak and oversight is reduced. Only buy Glühwein from stalls displaying the official Christkindlesmarkt vendor banner. The legitimate Pfand is €2–3 and is always refundable at the original stall or the central Pfand collection points. If a stall is asking €8 or more as a deposit, walk away. Verify you are inside the official market boundary on Hauptmarkt square, not on the surrounding side streets.

Question 3

What is the "Camera Drop / Broken Camera Extortion" scam in Nuremberg?

Accepted Answer

A scammer approaches a tourist near the Kaiserburg hill or Hauptmarkt and asks them to photograph them with their camera or smartphone. Upon receiving the device back, the scammer intentionally drops it and then accuses the tourist of having caused the breakage, demanding payment for the damages — sometimes €50–200. Alternatively, the scammer's accomplice pretends to accidentally knock the tourist's own camera or phone out of their hands, creating a disputed liability situation. This scam is documented in multiple German tourist cities and operates in Nuremberg particularly around the Kaiserburg (Imperial Castle) viewpoints where photography is common. Politely decline any request from a stranger to photograph them with their device. If you want to photograph someone, do so only with your own camera and keep it secured. Never hand your phone or camera to a stranger. If someone drops an item near you and claims you caused it, do not admit liability — note down details and contact the police (Polizei: 110) if they become aggressive.

Question 4

What is the "Hauptbahnhof Three-Card Monte and Shell Games" scam in Nuremberg?

Accepted Answer

Street hustlers operate illegal three-card monte (find-the-queen) and shell/ball games near Nuremberg Hauptbahnhof and on busy sections of Königstraße. A shill in the crowd wins consistently to attract spectators; when a tourist places a bet they invariably lose, and the dealer palms the winning card or ball before revealing. These games are illegal in Germany (Glücksspiel ohne Genehmigung — unlicensed gambling) and participants have no legal recourse to recover money. Lookouts signal when police approach and the operation disperses instantly, only to reassemble minutes later. Never participate in street gambling games regardless of how easy they appear to win. The shills in the crowd are part of the operation. If you see the game, walk past — do not stop to watch, as even spectating can be used to pressure you into playing. Report the operation to police via 110.

Question 5

What is the "Fake Charity Clipboard Petition" scam in Nuremberg?

Accepted Answer

At Nuremberg Hauptbahnhof and along the Königstraße pedestrian zone, individuals posing as charity workers approach tourists with clipboards and a petition to sign, claiming to represent a cause for disabled people, deaf-mute communities, or children's charities. After obtaining a signature, they pressure for a cash donation — often aggressively — and if given money, they move away immediately without issuing any receipt. Neither the charity name nor the petition circulates to any legitimate organization. This scam is reported across German cities and operates in Nuremberg year-round, with increased activity during the Christmas market season when tourist density is highest. Do not sign any clipboard petition from a stranger on the street. Legitimate German charities do not collect donations this way. If approached, say "Nein danke" (no thank you) firmly and keep walking. Never hand over cash to unsolicited street charity solicitors — donate directly through recognized organizations online instead.

Question 6

What is the "Counterfeit Christkindlesmarkt Ornament Sellers" scam in Nuremberg?

Accepted Answer

During the Christkindlesmarkt season, vendors on the periphery of the official market and on surrounding side streets sell Christmas ornaments, Lebkuchen (gingerbread) tins, and decorations that mimic the official market's branding or claim to be hand-crafted Franconian products. These items are typically mass-produced imports sold at prices comparable to — or higher than — the genuine artisan goods inside the official market. The Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt has strict vendor selection criteria and all official stalls require approval, so vendors on adjacent streets are not part of the vetted market. Purchase ornaments, Lebkuchen, and decorative goods only from stalls within the official Hauptmarkt market boundary, identifiable by the unified red-and-white striped booth design and official Christkindlesmarkt signage. Authentic hand-carved wooden ornaments from Franconian workshops will have a maker's mark or provenance card. The official Nuremberg Lebkuchen (gingerbread) designation "Nürnberger Lebkuchen" is a protected geographical indication — legitimate products display this label clearly.

Street Scams in Nuremberg

Hauptmarkt Pickpocket Gangs

Christkindlesmarkt Pfand Mug Scam

Camera Drop / Broken Camera Extortion

Hauptbahnhof Three-Card Monte and Shell Games

Fake Charity Clipboard Petition

Counterfeit Christkindlesmarkt Ornament Sellers

Experienced a scam here?