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Traveling is exciting, but it can also make you a prime target for opportunistic thieves. Smartphones are among the most stolen items worldwide due to their high value and portability. While any city has its risks, some urban centers stand out for extremely high theft rates, particularly in crowded tourist areas. Understanding where these hotspots are and how theft typically occurs can help you protect your device while exploring new destinations.
1. Bangkok, Thailand
Bangkok is infamous for pickpocketing, ranking consistently among the top cities for mobile theft. In 2024, Bangkok reported approximately 4,800 smartphone thefts per 100,000 residents, with tourists often being the primary targets. Busy markets like Chatuchak, Khao San Road, and transport hubs are notorious zones for snatch-and-run thefts. Scammers sometimes create deliberate distractions, such as asking for directions or dropping items in front of you. Travelers are advised to keep devices in zipped bags, avoid displaying them openly, and always stay vigilant in crowded areas.
2. London, United Kingdom
London has a smartphone theft rate of roughly 3,500 per 100,000 residents, making it a city where devices can disappear in a flash. Central areas such as Oxford Street, Piccadilly Circus, and public transport hubs are hotbeds for pickpockets. Recent trends involve thieves on electric scooters or bicycles, swiftly snatching phones from unsuspecting pedestrians. Tourists and commuters alike are vulnerable. Using anti-theft backpacks, avoiding phone use on crowded trains, and enabling tracking apps are recommended preventive measures to avoid losing your device.
3. Paris, France
In Paris, smartphone theft is a widespread issue, particularly in high-traffic tourist locations. Data indicates approximately 3,200 devices stolen per 100,000 residents annually, often around landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, Montmartre, and the Louvre. Pickpockets operate in teams, creating distractions or bumping into victims to grab phones from pockets or bags. Travelers should remain cautious on metros, in open markets, and while taking photos. Carrying phones in front-facing pockets or inside zipped compartments significantly reduces the risk of losing them.
4. Prague, Czech Republic
Prague, with its picturesque streets and historical sites, attracts millions of tourists, which unfortunately makes it a hotspot for smartphone theft. Recent police data shows roughly 3,000 stolen devices per 100,000 residents each year. The Old Town Square, Charles Bridge, and Wenceslas Square are particularly risky, where thieves often use the “bump and grab” tactic. Travelers are advised to secure phones in bags worn across the body, avoid leaving devices on tables in cafes, and remain aware of suspicious crowds, especially in peak tourist seasons.
5. Rome, Italy
Rome combines ancient charm with a high rate of petty theft, especially around Termini Station, the Colosseum, and Piazza Navona. Annually, about 2,900 smartphones per 100,000 residents are reported stolen, mostly from distracted tourists in crowded areas. Pickpockets often work in pairs or groups, using sudden distractions like asking for directions or blocking your path to grab phones. To safeguard your device, keep it in inside pockets or anti-theft bags, avoid using it openly on crowded streets, and activate remote tracking and locking features before traveling.