Jakarta, ThedailyID — A relaxing vacation can quickly turn stressful if travelers lose their wallets, passports, or phones to pickpockets or fall victim to scams.
While theft and fraud can happen anywhere, a new report from travel insurance provider Compare the Market highlights five cities where tourists perceive the risk to be the highest.
According to Travel + Leisure, researchers analyzed Tripadvisor reviews that mentioned pickpocketing and theft at the 10 most popular attractions in each city. They also incorporated crime perception data from Numbeo, which measures residents’ and visitors’ concerns about robbery and theft.
The researchers combined and normalized the data into a risk score ranging from 0 to 100. Higher scores indicate a greater perceived risk of pickpocketing and scams.
Here are the five cities that topped the ranking:
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Bangkok, Thailand — 83.45
Bangkok ranked first with the highest overall risk score. Although visitors reported relatively low concern about violent robbery, many described encounters with scams. The Grand Palace appeared most frequently in reviews mentioning fraud and pickpocketing.
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Paris, France — 68.81
Paris ranked second, with pickpocketing emerging as the most common complaint. Travelers also reported relatively high concerns about theft, particularly around the Basilique du Sacré-Cœur de Montmartre.
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Prague, Czech Republic
Prague placed third in the study. Researchers found a relatively high number of reported pickpocketing and scam incidents across popular tourist attractions.
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Shanghai, China
Shanghai ranked fourth despite its reputation as one of the world’s largest metropolitan areas. The report advises visitors to stay alert, especially in crowded tourist districts.
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Agra, India
Agra completed the top five. Home to the Taj Mahal, the city recorded a high perceived risk of theft and tourist-targeted scams.
Although the report highlights cities with higher perceived risks, it does not suggest travelers should avoid them. Instead, visitors should remain vigilant, secure their belongings, and stay aware of common scam tactics while exploring popular attractions.
