Scam in ColombiaTheft
Pickpocketing in Colombia
How it works
A thief takes belongings without you noticing. Some areas have more problems after dark, particularly parts of La Candelaria on weeknights.
Warning signs
- A phone or wallet is easy to reach in an open bag or pocket.
- You are entering an area that locals have warned you about.
How to avoid it
- Keep valuables in a closed bag held close to your body.
- Take extra care in the named areas after dark.
- Follow local advice about unsafe streets.
If it happens to you
- Get to a safe, staffed place. If someone has a weapon or threatens violence, do not resist.
- If a card or phone was stolen, contact your card issuer and mobile provider promptly. Freeze affected cards and secure your accounts.
- Write down what happened while you remember it. Save receipts, booking details, vehicle information and relevant messages.
- Report the incident to police. For a taxi problem in Bogotá, call 123 and the taxi company.
- Contact your insurer and ask what evidence they need. Tell your card issuer about any disputed or forced transactions.
- If your passport was stolen, contact your embassy or consulate for replacement-document guidance.
What travellers report
Posts about this scam on other sites, summarised in our words. Open one to read the original.
- Redditr/solotravel2021Reminder on being cautiousA traveller reports having their cellphone pickpocketed during a two-day stay in Cartagena.Read on Reddit
- Redditr/travel2023Safety advice for BogotáA contributor reports being pickpocketed on Bogotá’s TransMilenio bus system.Read on Reddit
- Redditr/travel2024Phone, wallet, & identity theft in Colombia while on honeymoon during Christmas, all accounts drainedA honeymoon traveller reports that several men distracted her husband with blows and beer while stealing his phone and wallet from his front pockets in Medellín.Read on Reddit
Questions
What is the pickpocketing scam in Colombia?
A thief takes belongings without you noticing. Some areas have more problems after dark, particularly parts of La Candelaria on weeknights.
How can I spot it early?
A phone or wallet is easy to reach in an open bag or pocket. You are entering an area that locals have warned you about.
How do I avoid pickpocketing in Colombia?
Keep valuables in a closed bag held close to your body. Take extra care in the named areas after dark. Follow local advice about unsafe streets.
Where in Colombia does this happen?
Parts of La Candelaria, Santa Fé and southern Chapinero near Avenida Caracas It has been reported in Bogotá.
How common is this scam in Colombia?
Occasional. Travellers can face taxi overcharging, pushy touts, dishonest money changers and theft in Colombia. Cartagena has several tourist-focused tricks, while Bogotá has warnings about pickpockets and taxi robberies. The risk varies by area and time of day, and some incidents involve threats or violence.
Are there similar scams in Colombia?
Yes: street mugging and robbery targeting visible valuables, being followed and robbed after an ATM withdrawal, robbery on intercity bus routes.
Who can I report it to?
Police: report theft, threats or fraud once you are safe. For a taxi problem in Bogotá, call 123. Ask how to obtain a record of your report. Taxi company: for a taxi complaint in Bogotá, also contact the company with which the taxi is registered. Provide the booking details and vehicle registration if available. Card issuer or bank: use the issuer's official app or contact number to freeze a stolen card and report disputed or forced withdrawals. Travel insurer: contact the insurer through its official claims channel. Keep receipts and any police report. Embassy or consulate: contact your country's embassy or consulate if your passport is stolen or you need consular help. Mobile provider: report a stolen phone and ask the provider to block the SIM.
What number do I call in an emergency in Colombia?
Police: taxi problems and complaints in Bogotá: 123.
Reviewed by @snuck