Street Scams in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Pickpockets, distraction thieves, fake petitions, and street hustles in tourist areas. Below are the street scams scams reported in Sarajevo — 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
3
Street Scams Scams
10
Total in Sarajevo
How it works
A street performer runs a three-box ball game near the Eternal Flame monument or Ferhadija street. While onlookers focus on the game, team members pickpocket the crowd.
How it works
A local near the famous Sebilj fountain or Vijećnica asks you to take their photo, then drops the camera on return and demands compensation for the supposed damage.
How it works
The artisan quarter of Baščaršija is known for traditional hand-hammered copper goods, but some stalls sell machine-pressed pieces coated with copper-coloured paint, representing them as genuine handmade copperware at handmade prices. The distinction is hard to spot quickly — genuine pieces show irregular hammer marks on the interior surface, while fakes are uniform and lightweight. Sellers may demonstrate "hammering" on a display piece while the items for sale are factory-produced. Prices for fake pieces are often set high to signal quality, making the deception more convincing.
See all scams in Sarajevo
10 total warnings across all categories