My friend, Paul Gauger, who is a perpetual world traveler, recently posted on Facebook about how his phone was stolen. It’s such a valuable travel lesson that I’m grateful he gave me permission to share it.
“Annoyingly, I had my phone stolen last night. I was being a good human and helping an alleged fellow tourist in Sitges [near Barcelona, Spain] who couldn’t find his hotel because his phone had died. I looked up his hotel and was giving him directions, and then in a flash he grabbed it and ran like the wind. Now, of course, I realize I shouldn’t have been so naive to fall for this trick. Sad state of affairs on so many levels, but s–t happens and I’m safe and sound, just feeling foolish.”
When I followed up with Paul, he added: “Another friend was approached the same night with a similar scam, I found out. Last night some guys also tried to drunkenly hug me on the street, but I was suspicious, so I think it’s rife.”
If you subscribe to my newsletter, you know I’ve been warning readers for years to stay alert while traveling (and even at home) because thieves have become incredibly bold about stealing smartphones right out of people’s hands. In fact, I recently wrote about why London has become the phone theft capital of the world and shared practical tips on how travelers can protect themselves. You can read that story here.
However, Paul’s experience was different. This scam was new to me and I would’ve fallen for it myself. It’s definitely something I’ll remember the next time a stranger asks to use my phone.
Unfortunately, London is one of the worst places in the world for phone snatching. Thieves often ride e-bikes or scooters, dress in dark clothing and target distracted pedestrians. Once they grab your phone, you’re almost certainly not going to catch them. You can see examples in the videos below.
The first video shows a man simply walking while looking at his phone.
The second video shows a tourist riding a bicycle while checking his phone before it’s snatched.
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There’s not much you can do once it happens, so prevention is key. Avoid using your phone near the curb or while walking if you can. If you need to check directions or send a message, step inside a store, stand against a wall or hold your phone with both hands while staying aware of your surroundings.
Police investigations, as reported by The New York Times, show that phone theft in London has evolved far beyond traditional pickpocketing. Organized crews on e-bikes and scooters work in teams, targeting pedestrians near curbs, busy tourist attractions and transit hubs. Many stolen phones are shipped overseas and sold for hundreds or even thousands of dollars, making smartphone theft an extremely profitable criminal enterprise.
If your phone is stolen:
- Don’t chase the thief. Your safety is far more important than your phone.
- Report the theft to the local police and contact your wireless carrier immediately.
- Use Apple’s Find My or Android’s Find My Device to try to locate, lock or erase your phone.
- If available, provide police with tracking information and any CCTV or witness video. Even if the chances of recovering your phone are slim, filing a police report helps authorities build cases against organized theft rings.
The biggest takeaway is to treat your phone the same way you treat your wallet or cash. Smartphones are incredibly valuable, and criminals know it. A few simple habits like staying aware, keeping your phone out of sight when possible and being cautious when strangers ask to use it can help ensure your trip isn’t ruined by a thief.
