Street Scams in Paris, France
Pickpockets, distraction thieves, fake petitions, and street hustles in tourist areas. Below are the street scams scams reported in Paris — how they work and how to avoid them.
For broader context, compare this scam type with nearby destinations like Mykonos, Barcelona, and Krakow.
Last updated: April 2, 2026
5
Street Scams Scams
10
Total in Paris
How it works
Near the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre, groups of young people approach with clipboards asking tourists to sign a petition for deaf children or similar causes. While attention is on the clipboard, accomplices pickpocket bags and pockets.
How it works
Men near Sacré-Cœur and Montmartre grab tourists' wrists and quickly tie a bracelet before they can refuse, then demand $10–20 per bracelet. Multiple scammers surround the victim and it becomes difficult to leave without paying.
How it works
Caricature and portrait artists near Sacré-Cœur begin sketching tourists without a clear agreed price, then demand €50–200 for the finished work. Bystanders (shills) block escape and pressurise payment.
How it works
A person "finds" a gold ring on the ground near you and offers it to you as a gift, claiming they cannot keep it for religious reasons. They then ask for money for "food." The ring is worthless brass. A variation involves finding it just ahead of you on the Pont des Arts.
How it works
A person approaches you near Notre-Dame or Sacré-Cœur, ties a string bracelet on your wrist while making small talk, and then refuses to remove it, demanding €5–20 as payment for the "gift."
See all scams in Paris
10 total warnings across all categories