Athens : How not to get ROBBED by PICKPOCKETS

Where are pickpockets operating in Athens, and how can you prevent it from happening ? All the answers in this video.

Thanks ! 😊

[louisevillegas]

Sebastian, your You Tube videos were invaluable before our recent trip to Greece. My husband was the attempted victim of pickpockets twice! The first time was on the Athens metro train --- it was crowded where we stood near the doors and a couple guys started asking directions, just like you said in your video. Fortunately, I had sewn Velcro strips on my husband's front pocket (where he kept a wallet with one credit card and less than 100 euros). He heard the Velcro strips start opening which stopped the attempt. Later, when exiting the metro on the escalator, the guy behind him started trying to put his hand in my husband's pocket. My husband was able to grab his hand and thwart this second attempt. This was at the Akrotiri stop, so be extra careful at the popular tourist metro stops. Later my husband added safety pins to his pockets. I never carried a purse, but had my passports, credit cards and large bills in a neck pouch under my shirt when they were not able to be in a hotel safe. Personally, I would not recommend taking the metro from the airport. You will be too tired and stressed and an easy victim for pickpockets. Do not start your trip this way; just spend the extra money for a driver to meet you at the airport. Thank you so much, Sebastian!

[LeonardoIslas-io]

Happened to my girlfriend and I today getting on the Tram line 6 after getting off on the Syntagma metro stop coming from the airport. A group of guys in their mid 30d/early 40s surrounded us as entered the crowded Tram, and I noticed via the reflection on the tram window that the man behind had his hand up towards my backpack as we got in. After we got in seconds later, he graciously offered for my girlfriend to “please take a seat” whereby I noticed that my backpacks top zipper at already been opened a couple inches. I told my girlfriend that I suspected the man next to us opened it, he overheard me, and we got into a verbal altercation. He got loud and upset, and wanted to “take it outside” before the tram left, either to fight or show me the supposed “camera footage”. After calming down, he later walked away to the other Tram cart, and his “partners” walked along away with him at various times after we had initially started jawing off at each other. He stormed off insulting me by saying “F*cking American!”. Okay, pal, good one. All is to say these crooks work in teams, and the video author’s point is true to keep your bags closed with locks preferably. Keep your guard up, and don’t let this take away from your experience on in otherwise fun city and/or journey to other parts of the country!!!

[alanm.]

Very good advice: as much as possible, do a few things (you can also read Rick Steve's articles about pickpockets.
1. use a money belt under your clothes to keep the bulk of your Euros and passport
2. try to have shirts that provide pockets with side or top zippers - they work well if you have a sweater on or a jacket. Avoid anything in your back pockets.
Zippered pant pockets are valuable too (especially under flaps). If you wear a vest, ensure there are zippered, interior pockets.
3. use small combination locks on your knapsack zippers - combo locks are better than needing keys. Ensure they are TSA for customs.
4. keep a copy of your passport with you in your moneybelt. And leave the original in the hotel safe. If no safe, use combination locks on your suitcases and lock things up in them in your hotel room. Also, get yourself a nice small travel wallet and only bring what is truly necessary. Leave the Costco membership card at home.
5. dont leave your phone or camera sitting on a restaurant table, as that is a 'please steal me' sign. Get rid of branded camera straps and use plain coloured ones. And remember that today's thieves know the camera models that provide the best $$. Put a small piece of black tape over the camera model name (ie: gaffer)
6. most places will accept credit cards, so keep the cash hidden until really needed. And don't say yes to currency conversion on your cards...say you want to pay in Euros all the time. Your credit card will cost you less for conversion. This scam is popular (and, sadly, legal).
7. not a bad idea to have an Apple Airtag hidden in your carry ons and luggage in case anything disappears. Whether by the airline, or a local thief.
8. and the best advice: don't trust ANYBODY. When wearing a backpack, try to keep it against a wall when you can (and fully zipped up).
9. try to have fun anyways.

[SpirosMargelis]

Great job Sebastian!

As a Greek I must mention another dangerous area for people to have in mind, which is Plaka. Plaka is the area below Akropilis, which is full of caffes and taverns and so very crowded, making it super easy to get robbed without even noticing it! I got robed there on Easter time, where it was not that crowded as in summertime.

In my case there was a group of 50 Algerians and Tunisians gang (they got arrested 6 months after I was robbed), that were operated in small groups disorienting the victims to strike. Most probably others took their place, so be very careful.

There are many places in Plaka where you can sit and rest your back on the railings, on the inside of which are the ancient monuments. What the thieves do is that they come from the inside, crouched so as not to be seen and if you have made the mistake of leaving your bag or your mobile on the terrace and next to you, you lost it as if by magic! When they are in place and ready to strike, someone of the group is comming to talk to you about directions and anything and the other guy from behind copletes the magic trick!

ALWAYS have your things on you and don't put anything valuable next to you!

[markharris]

I'm going to Athens next year so this was good advice.

I ran into one of those evil bracelet sellers earlier in the year in Gran Canaria, on that walkway beside the Charca where lots of pedlars are. This quite attractive lady called to me, all flattery - I would normally walk on but I was in a good mood so I said hello and got closer than I normally would. She grabbed my hand and started wrapping this 'bracelet' round my wrist. I tried to pull away but she was surprisingly strong and who wants to start a fight?

So once she'd wrapped this thing round my wrist she demanded I pay. Again, not wanting a fight I said okay, pulled out my money purse and reached for a 1 euro coin. Instead she reached in and snatched a five euro note. Well, I wasn't having that so on the hand that was still clutched round my wrist I dug my fingernails in so hard it drew blood. But no, she wouldn't give up, those notes don't tear easily, and I had to decide, do I let go of the note or maybe face violence if she had backup?

So I let go of the note. I then ripped the cords off my wrist and threw them in her face, and sat down on the stone seating nearby, making evil eyes at her and trying to wave people away. Evil - if rather attractive - young crone. 🧙‍♀ Honestly, it rather ruined the day and I was in a bad mood for at least 24 hours after.

[katytran]

I just returned from Athens
Police everywhere
We use taxi, Uber from Piraeus and Airport
Price is fixed now
So it is pretty ok

[mitchm]

I always bring a fake wallet with Monopoly money in it. I've only had to give it away once but it turned a bad situation into a funny one for us. Always be one step ahead of these clowns and keep your head on a swivel at all times.

[CJVERG]

After dealing with pickpockets while going to Spain, I wondered if it was going to be problem here as well. Thank you very much for the info! Will be on the lookout for our whole trip in Greece!

[nadabenhaddou]

I love this channel ! Very good tips 👍

[Irisea]

Before we went to Athens 2 weeks ago, I' watched a couple of your videos primarily about food recommendations and how to get from the airport to the city centre. Thankfully, I read someone's comment about being pickpocketed in Athens metro so I was super vigilant when we were travelling the first time, never been so stressed out in my life :D Had my phone and my tiny purse in an inside pocket of my jacket and my jacket zipped up to my neck :D On our way back to the airport - thank god we decided to take the next metro after seeing the first one being ridiculously full which could have been a great chance for these thieves to steal our stuff!

[MajestaENG]

Thank you for the advice! love how efficient you are with explaining information clearly. cheers!

[alicestoneheart]

This is SO GOOD to know!! I will be EXTRA on guard in the areas you mentioned. Thank you!

[JoelGarcia-rhgx]

I just dressed in full Spartan armor and that seemed to do the trick 😜… I’m kidding, great video my friend!

[nicle]

Im taking my first trip there next april. This was really helpful, thanks.

[PapagaioIbeca]

Syntagma subway to the airport. Crowd at the door and my money and papers were gone. Breast pocket with backpack in front. These are already real experts.
It's best to keep your distance on the train and not get boxed in. There are practical pockets for belts, which are hidden between underpants and pants. who is consciously on the lookout, need not fear

[robertmcbrain]

Spotted a gang on subway last weekend. One by one, they joined at various stops en route to airport. They were brazen enough to piggy back the ticket barriers at the airport (ie didn't even pay for metro tickets). They couldn't really be obvious? I pointed them out to security person which simply stimulated him to rescan my ticket and left them to go on their way! I subsequently saw them split into groups of 2 sitting around the airport (departures) looking for victims . Horrible.

[youarehere]

Rent a Airbnb/hotels walkable to most attractions

Join hop on hop off bus tour

Take taxi, it's more expensive but outweigh the chance being pickpocketed.

Avoid extremely crowded area, when in doubt, time to go

Take express bus/taxi to/from airport/port

[selini]

I lived for 12 years in Athens and never had a problem? Is it people from outside?

[k.b.]

awful experience in Athens. After eating dinner at a restaurant we were going back to our hotel and a gang of 7 men attacked us trying to steal my necklace and phone. We fought back but they took the phone. We called the police but they weren't helpful. They suggested to report it tomorrow at the police station, we were also scared to go back to our hotel but they said "ok you can take a taxi". Tomorrow we went to the police station but they said it is not the police station for such reports, when we went to the other one they said 'no it is the other police station because we don't take such report'. We packed our things and left immediately. Never going back again!

[Johnny-hnts]

I've had this happen a couple times walking around the shops at Syntagma where a young looking person would hold a booklet and start try talking to me. I don't say anything and keep on walking to which they get mad and start calling me names or something. What could they possibly want?