Street Scams in Sofia, Bulgaria
Pickpockets, distraction thieves, fake petitions, and street hustles in tourist areas. Below are the street scams scams reported in Sofia — 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
2
Street Scams Scams
10
Total in Sofia
How it works
Crowded trams and buses, especially lines running to the airport and central Sofia, are common pickpocket hotspots, with teams working together.
How it works
Groups of young people, often posing as deaf or disabled advocates, approach tourists near the National Palace of Culture and along Vitosha Boulevard brandishing clipboards and asking for signatures on a petition. Once you sign, they aggressively demand a cash donation and will not leave until paid. The petition itself is fake and the collected money goes directly to the operators, not any charity.
See all scams in Sofia
10 total warnings across all categories