Street Scams in Tbilisi, Georgia
Pickpockets, distraction thieves, fake petitions, and street hustles in tourist areas. Below are the street scams scams reported in Tbilisi — 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
4
Street Scams Scams
10
Total in Tbilisi
How it works
Individuals dressed in dark clothing or partial uniform approach tourists on Rustaveli Avenue claiming to be plainclothes police conducting a currency inspection or drug search. They request to examine the tourist's wallet, passport, or bag, and then pocket cash or swap genuine banknotes for low-denomination replacements before returning the wallet. The Georgian national police do not conduct random wallet checks on the street, making this a straightforward impersonation scam.
How it works
In Tbilisi's popular Dry Bridge Market and Dezerter Bazaar, vendors routinely quote tourists prices far above what locals pay. The gap can be 2–4 times the normal rate.
How it works
While Tbilisi is relatively safe, pickpocketing does occur in crowded areas like Rustaveli Avenue, the Narikala Fortress area, and busy bus and minibus (marshrutka) routes.
How it works
The Dry Bridge flea market is a well-known institution where vendors sell Soviet-era memorabilia, coins, jewellery, and religious icons. A portion of the inventory — particularly silver jewellery, old coins, and "antique" icons — is modern reproduction or artificially aged. Vendors pitch items with fabricated provenance stories and inflated historical value, and prices for individual pieces can reach hundreds of dollars based entirely on the seller's verbal claims.
See all scams in Tbilisi
10 total warnings across all categories