Scam in French PolynesiaTheft
Purse snatching in French Polynesia
How it works
Someone grabs your purse or bag and takes it.
Warning signs
- Your bag is loose or unattended.
- Your bag hangs from a chair or sits within easy reach of passers-by.
How to avoid it
- Wear a closed bag across your body.
- Keep your bag with you instead of hanging it from a chair.
- Keep spare money and cards separate from your main bag.
If it happens to you
Do not fight over the bag or chase the thief. Move to safety, freeze stolen cards, and report the theft.
- Move to a safe place. Do not chase a thief or argue if you feel threatened.
- Check what is missing. Freeze stolen cards and contact your card issuer about any payments you did not approve.
- Save receipts, payment records and messages. Write down the time, place and what happened.
- Report theft or fraud to the Gendarmerie. Ask for a written report or reference number.
- Contact your embassy or consulate if your passport was stolen. Tell your insurer if you plan to claim.
What travellers report
Posts about this scam on other sites, summarised in our words. Open one to read the original.
- Government advice2026Travel advice and advisories for French PolynesiaCanada's travel advisory explicitly identifies purse snatching as a petty crime that occurs in French Polynesia.Read on Government advice
- Government advice2026French PolynesiaNew Zealand's travel advisory reports bag snatching, especially in tourist areas such as Tahiti and Moorea.Read on Government advice
Questions
What is the purse snatching scam in French Polynesia?
Someone grabs your purse or bag and takes it.
How can I spot it early?
Your bag is loose or unattended. Your bag hangs from a chair or sits within easy reach of passers-by.
How do I avoid purse snatching in French Polynesia?
Wear a closed bag across your body. Keep your bag with you instead of hanging it from a chair. Keep spare money and cards separate from your main bag.
What should I do if it happens to me?
Do not fight over the bag or chase the thief. Move to safety, freeze stolen cards, and report the theft.
Where in French Polynesia does this happen?
Tahiti
How common is this scam in French Polynesia?
Occasional. French Polynesia has a low risk of tourist crime overall, and Tahiti has one of the lowest crime rates in France and its territories. Pickpocketing and purse snatching still occur. Keep your belongings secure, and check exchange rates and fees before changing money.
Are there similar scams in French Polynesia?
Yes: pickpocketing.
Who can I report it to?
Gendarmerie: report theft or fraud and provide the location, time, description and any evidence. Ask for a report or reference number. Card issuer or bank: use its official app or contact number to freeze stolen cards and report payments you did not approve. Embassy or consulate: contact your country's embassy or consulate through its official contact details if your passport is stolen. Travel insurer: contact its claims service. Keep the police report, receipts and proof of ownership for any claim.
Reviewed by @snuck