Drink-spiking in France

Bordeaux. No specific venue is named.

How it works

Someone tampers with a drink without the drinker's knowledge. This can leave the person unable to protect themselves or their belongings.

Warning signs

Someone tampers with your drink.
Your drink has been out of your sight.

How to avoid it

Keep your drink in sight.
Do not leave drinks unattended.
Replace a drink if you are unsure what happened to it.

If it happens to you

Tell a trusted person or venue staff and seek urgent medical help. Do not leave alone with someone you do not trust. Call 15 or 112 for a medical emergency.

Get somewhere safe. Do not chase a thief or start a fight. Call 17 or 112 if you are threatened or in immediate danger.
Check what is missing. Contact your card issuer immediately to block stolen cards and flag payments you did not authorise.
Secure affected accounts. If a phone or login code was stolen, change passwords and end unfamiliar sessions.
Save evidence. Keep receipts, screenshots, messages, booking details and any driver or vehicle number.
Report the incident to police. Ask for a report reference or written record for your bank or insurer.
Contact your insurer and, if travel documents were stolen, your embassy or consulate. For a disputed Marseille taxi fare, take the driver's number to the Tourist's Office at 11, La Canebière.

Where it happensBordeaux. No specific venue is named.Bordeaux

What travellers report

Posts about this scam on other sites, summarised in our words. Open one to read the original.

More scams in FranceStreet souvenir touts: how to avoid it

Questions

What is the drink-spiking scam in France?

Someone tampers with a drink without the drinker's knowledge. This can leave the person unable to protect themselves or their belongings.

How can I spot it early?

Someone tampers with your drink. Your drink has been out of your sight.

How do I avoid drink-spiking in France?

Keep your drink in sight. Do not leave drinks unattended. Replace a drink if you are unsure what happened to it.

What should I do if it happens to me?

Tell a trusted person or venue staff and seek urgent medical help. Do not leave alone with someone you do not trust. Call 15 or 112 for a medical emergency.

Where in France does this happen?

Bordeaux. No specific venue is named. It has been reported in Bordeaux.

How common is this scam in France?

Occasional. Pickpocketing and street scams are common concerns in France, especially in busy tourist areas and on public transport. Paris has several well-known tricks involving petitions, bracelets, tickets and bars; other risks include taxi overcharging, bag theft and drink-spiking.

Who can I report it to?

Police: call 17 or 112 for a crime-related emergency. For a non-urgent scam or theft, visit a police station and bring any evidence. National Police generally serve urban areas; the National Gendarmerie serves the countryside. Card issuer or bank: use the bank's official app or contact number to block stolen cards and report charges you did not authorise. Ride-booking app: cancel and report a driver who asks for login codes. Request a refund of any cancellation fee and report rides booked without your permission. Marseille Tourist's Office: for taxi overcharging, take the driver's number to 11, La Canebière, near Le Vieux Port, and speak to a representative. Staff can help seek repayment. Paris taxi complaint handler: record the taxi number from the sticker on the left rear passenger window. Keep it with your receipt and journey details when making a complaint. Embassy or consulate: contact your country's embassy or consulate through its official contact details if your passport is stolen or you need consular help. Travel insurer: report the loss through the insurer's official claims channel. Keep police records, receipts and evidence of the loss.

What number do I call in an emergency in France?

Police: 17, European emergency number: 112, Medical emergency: 15, Fire brigade: 18.

Reviewed by @snuck