Common Tourist Scams in Amsterdam Red Light District (and How to Avoid Them)
The pickpocket pattern in De Wallen
- Tactics: the classic "bump and grab" on the bridges over the canals (where crowds funnel through narrow points); coordinated teams of 2-3 working the densest stretches of Oudezijds Voorburgwal between 9pm and midnight; phone-snatch by bike — a cyclist passes and lifts the phone out of an outstretched hand.
- Targets: outside-pocket phones, back-pocket wallets, half-open shoulder bags, anyone obviously photographing a sex-worker window (hands occupied, attention divided).
- Prevention: front-pocket only; cross-body bag worn zip-side-forward; phone in an inside jacket pocket or zipped pocket; lanyard if you use it as a camera.
- Police presence: the Politie has a permanent post inside the district at the Beursstraat substation. Foot patrols are visible from about 8pm to 4am every night, more on Friday/Saturday.
- If lifted: report at the Beursstraat substation in person within the hour for the best chance of CCTV recovery; phone tracker (Find My iPhone, Google Find My Device) gives police a lead but resolution is variable.
FAQ
- What is the cocaine-tout scam?
- Touts on Warmoesstraat and Zeedijk approach tourists with 'psssst, cocaine?' for €40-50 a gram. The substance is essentially always lidocaine, paracetamol or chalk; actual cocaine is sold through different channels. Buying is also illegal under Dutch law and arrests of foreign buyers do happen. If you want a controlled-substance experience in Amsterdam, the answer is a licensed coffeeshop, not a street tout.
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