How I Got ROBBED in Paris Metro: 8 tips to OUTSMART pickpockets!

In 2019 and in 2024, I was robbed in the Paris metro by pickpockets.
I'm not proud of that, but now I make sure I use these 8 tips to not let this happen again and outsmart pickpockets!

#paris #metro #pickpocket

Timeline
00:00 - Intro
00:49 - First incident - Metro line 4
01:57 - Second incident - Metro line 10
03:12 - 8 Safety Tips
05:50 - Who should you be wary of?
07:08 - Conclusion

[Matthew.Pequegnat]

As a retired police Supervisory Investigator, I would recommend;
1. Move away from and avoid standing in the doors of the metro cars, except right when entering or exiting.
2. Keep your back to a wall when possible when waiting.
3. Keep your head up and make eye contact with everyone around you, look vigilant.
4. Keep nothing in back pockets or on your back without a lock on it.
5. If some Stranger approaches you in the metro, immediately step back quickly turning to an angle to the suspect (blading) weak hand to the suspect and up, as you look around sharply and move away without engaging.

[yvonnehillsden]

My friend and I were transiting from Gare du Lyon to Gare de Nord on our way to Amsterdam. We had all our bags with us including knapsacks on our backs, so clearly looked like targets.
Although the platform was relatively empty, a young woman ran right into the back of me, hard. I immediately knew what was happening so whirled around and glared at her. She looked me in the eye very defiantly then ran off into the train which had just arrived.
Fortunately I was prepared so had nothing of value in the knapsack (just clothes) and all the zipper pulls carabinered together. So she got nothing.
We elected to wait for the next train and while waiting, stood with our backs against the wall.
It was an interesting experience. I’m grateful that we’d watched all the videos warning of this so knew the signs and were prepared for this.
Thanks for sharing your story!

Oh and despite the risks of this, we LOVED Paris and would go back again in a heartbeat!!!

[mongksr]

Sorry that you had those 2 experiences. Appreciate you reminding us all about safety

[elmadi]

Your channel are always helpful. Thank you very much 🙏🇫🇷

[johnetie]

This almost happened to me on the metro in Paris. My phone was in a front pocket of some loose shorts. I guy standing near was jiggling my pocket and had put a blanket on the ground to catch the phone when it fell. Luckily a friend saw it happening and alerted me. I never felt anything.

[koenvandaele]

Thanks for your good advice. I never got pickpocketed in Paris, but I have become extremely vigilant after being pickpocketed in Brussels by professional pickpockets using the ‘Zidane-technique’. In fact, most metro-gangs are quite recognizable if you just keep your eyes open. Don’t let anyone too close, turn around regularly, avoid crowdedness, and preferably keep the ‘overview-position’, with your back against a wall. Protect and control your valuables, especially underground, or when manipulative or intrusive communications are started. Still love Paris though.

[gary]

I highly recommend a money belt under your clothes and your phone in an a front pocket with a zipper. They also sell day packs with all kinds of deterrents against theft.

[brandontownsend]

I have visited Paris many times, and have had no issues until my last visit. A group of teenage girls crowded my wife and I as we entered the 12 Metro. One girl had a large coat and was covering the front of my wife. I pulled her away and noticed the girl had her hand inside my wife's bag. Luckily I caught it in time. I will always adore Paris, but my wife is still a bit upset. : ) Thanks for the video. Bon chance.

[mariemurray]

My husband was robbed by a sweet little old lady on the Metro in Barcelona! One stop, she bumped into him, apologising, then next stop she bumped again, then skipped off the train, with his wallet. First bump, she unzipped his jacket pocket, then second one she took the wallet. We had to admire her skill!

[Vancouver_Dan]

I got "jacked" on the RER coming in from the airport (we had to detour by bus to a different line because the direct line was under repair). When we first got on the train, it was not busy so, mistake one, I put our carry on bags on the rack by the door. As the train got busier, two guys started pulling at the bags. I was yelling no. I had a cross body fanny pack with, fortunately, a wallet containing only some cash and one credit card. While I had a tug of war with suspect #1, the other man must have opened my bag and taken the wallet. So mistake two - I had left my jacket open so the bag was exposed (because I was in and out of the bag getting tickets for the train). I did not even notice the guy opening the bag right under my nose. I am very happy that I used a decoy wallet so I did not loose my driver's license, bank card or other credit card. Our passports were in a zipper pocket at the back of the cross body bag. My advice - be extra vigilant when you have bags - that is when you are most vulnberable. Also, use a decoy wallet so that, if it is stolen, your losses are minimal. And be prepared for brazen behaviour. I never expected pickpockets to be so aggressive (I am 6'3").The rest of our stay in Paris was fantastic and without suitcases - we blended in better. We took an uber back to CDG.

[mistersquirrel]

In all my travels mainly in Asia and Europe, I've been a victim only once and it was in Barcelona. I let my guard down because it was in a high end department store cafe. It was the classic distraction and someone else swiped my bag laying on a chair. I partially blame myself since I was aware of Barcelona's reputation as petty crime capital of Europe.

[themutekiununbi]

Thank you for your life experience tips.

[janebaker]

I think everyone who intends to visit Paris more than once in a lifetime needs to get robbed once as it's a wake up call. I got my phone stolen on the metro (classic) on my 3rd visit. I didn't hear, see or feel a thing. I got on at Barbes and off at Gare l'est which is just two stops I think. This is the mistakes I made even though I knew better. I sat and waited as four packed trains went through and scrolled on my phone to pass the time. The fifth looked less packed (at Barbes) so I dropped my phone in my bag, jumped on, sat in the one free seat and as it was quite packed and busy I pushed my open and not zipped up bag just under the seat a little bit so as not to trip anyone up. I could still see half the bag. Whoever took that phone must have reached under the seat from behind. They must have had a long arm! At my stop I reached in my bag for my phone and it wasn't there. I tipped all my bags contents out and EVERYTHING was there BUT my phone. And nothing had been disturbed in my bag. The phone was removed with clinical precision. Luckily it was my penultimate day and I had all my travel tickets etc printed out. That's a tip take a set of paper print outs, just in case. Be aware that someone can be watching you handle your phone. Zip your bag up. But I decided this should not happen again so I made myself a kind of pocket or holster that I carry my phone in. I can hang it round my neck or pin it to my waistband. I use it all the time now. Even at home. Also I have all the important stuff on my person and I wear clothes with zip pockets. Debit card, navigo etc all on me. In the purse in my bag just a little spending money. But they didnt take my purse. The other blessing was that none of my data was stolen. I was told that whoever took it would have ripped out and discarded the sim card then sold it probably to a needy migrant, so there, I made a charitable donation, lol.

[ivettecorrea]

Je suis desolee Alain😢...

...on the other hand is kind of funny that not even real parisien are exempt of this sad experience🤦🏼‍♀️🫣🤭

Hope that this video will go viral for your Absolutely Amazing channel!🙏👌
...love the stats at the end💪👌👏

[John-wxce]

I love your videos. However, I would argue, that for tourists, the number one way to avoid pickpockets on the Metro is by not traveling by the Metro.

My wife and I visit Paris every two years for a couple of weeks, and have been traveling throughout Europe for 35 years. We never take the Metro in Europe, and we have never been pickpocketed.

First off, Paris is a very walkable city. We stay in the center of Paris in the 6th, and we can walk to most places we are interested in. If we are going somewhere that is further than we want to walk, we take Uber. The advent of Uber is a god-send for travelers. Uber is safer, you get to exactly where you want to go, payment to easier (no ticket kiosk — also a point of vulnerability) and we get to see Paris.

The additional cost for us, even for two weeks is immaterial in the scheme of things and is way more convenient than public transportation. For people staying in Paris for shorter periods it is a no-brainer.

If you travel by Metro in Paris it is not a question of if, it is a question of when you will be pickpocketed. It is inevitable, especially if you are a tourist.

[waleedzemami]

I got on the metro no. 2 suddenly it became too crowded and I had to stand in middle just before the next stop someone was on the floor trying to pull my leg the train breaks and two guys behind opened my coat zipper and snitched my cards wallet.

[warrenpayne]

I wonder what the statistics are for people who take the bus?

[louiscy]

Even I thought that would only happen to tourists.

[catherineparr]

I'm, so sorry, you have been a victim not once, but twice . However as you said during the decades you have enjoyed Paris you have been fortunate . Dare I hope that you had already backed up the pictures etc on your camera? Thankyou for the pointers especially wearing your bag in the front, not on your back . A solution, which whilst it might not be infallible is a very sensible one . Of course these gangs are not the ones who ultimately benefit from the crime, it's their Fagin like masters . At least Paris is not New York, a city where as long as your take, from shoplifting etc did not use violence, and was under $1000 you are never charged . The police leaflet should be handed out on every train station, and customs gate . Merci

[MrGuto]

Just carry your phone and wallet in your pant's front pockets and this will never happen.