Street Scams in St. Petersburg, Russia

How it works

Organized pickpocket teams work the full length of Nevsky Prospekt, particularly around the underground crossings at Ploshchad Vosstaniya metro (exit 1) and the crowded segment near Gostiny Dvor arcade. A team member bumps into the tourist or causes a minor confrontation while an accomplice extracts wallets, phones, or cameras from bags and jacket pockets. The technique is also used on the packed metro during rush hour on Line 2 (Blue) between Sennaya Ploshchad and Nevsky Prospekt stations.

How it works

Around Palace Square (Dvortsovaya Ploshchad) outside the Hermitage's main Jordan (Winter Palace) entrance, individuals dress as Peter the Great, Catherine the Great, or tsarist hussars and invite tourists to pose for photographs. No price is stated beforehand. Once the photo is taken they demand 500–1,500 RUB per shot and become aggressively insistent if refused. Children are particular targets as the costumes are designed to attract them.

How it works

Individuals — often operating in pairs — approach tourists on Nevsky Prospekt near Kazan Cathedral and around the Mikhailovsky Garden, aggressively tying a "friendship bracelet" onto the tourist's wrist without asking permission. Once the bracelet is on, they demand 500–2,000 RUB for it. The interaction is designed as a distraction: while one person works on the bracelet, an accomplice pickpockets the tourist's bag or jacket pocket.