Brazen pickpockets prey on vulnerable tourists as vacation island is swarmed by millions

As tourists descend on one ofSpain’s most popular summer destinations, the familiar problem of pickpocketing has emerged.

Multiple viral videos appear to show tourists being targeted by pickpockets in Mallorca, Spain’s largest Balearic Island.

The incidents occurrednear Palma, the capital of Mallorca, according to the Majorca Daily Bulletin.

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In one video recently published by theMallorca Daily Bulletin, a group of young pickpockets targeted an elderly couple.

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In the footage, an older man is seen standing and looking in one direction as the group of young people walks close to him and appears to remove items from his pocket.He was seemingly unaware it was happening.

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Videos circulating online appear to show suspected pickpockets targeting tourists near Palma, Mallorca’s capital, during the busy travel season.(Clara Margais/picture alliance via Getty Images)

Another video shows two young men appearing to steal a wallet out of an elderly woman’s bag as she walked near Palma Cathedral.

Along with Ibiza and Menorca, Mallorca is one of Spain’s most popular Mediterranean destinations— and it’s been struggling with overtourism.

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The island received around 13.� a large number for an island that measures roughly 1,400 square miles, slightly smaller than Rhode Island.

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The island of Mallorca received around 13.5 million visitors in 2025.(John Keeble/Getty Images)

Older travelers aren’t targeted simply because of their age, said Angel Castellanos, a California-based travel expert and host of “The Tour Guy” on YouTube.

“Criminals tend to look for people who appear distracted, overloaded with shopping bags, unfamiliar with their surroundings or less able to react quickly,�

“The same can be true of travelers who are intoxicated, particularly in nightlife districts where situational awareness is lower.”

He said that the prevalence of pickpocketing can be attributed, in part, to international tourism rebounding beyond pre-pandemic levelsacross much of Europe.

The Balearic Islands welcomed more than 19 million visitors in 2025, with Mallorca accounting for around 13.5 million of that.(iStock)

Castellanos, who says he’s visited over 100 countries, has traveled extensively without being pickpocketed, he said.Staying aware of his surroundings has been key, he related.

“It’s because I treat busy tourist areas the same way I would any major city: I enjoy the destination, but I never stop paying attention to where my valuables are,” he said.

“The takeaway isn’t to avoid these places.It’s to travel smarter.”

He cited anti-theft cross-body bags and zippered front pockets as crucial waystravelers can protect themselvesfrom pickpockets.He also recommended avoiding placing phones on café tables.

Castellanos added that a little situational awareness “goes a long way.”

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“Travelers shouldn’t let headlines discourage them from visiting Mallorca,” he added.“It’s one of Europe’s great summer destinations.”

Experts say criminals often target travelers who appear distracted, unfamiliar with their surroundings or carrying multiple bags.(Clara Margais/picture alliance via Getty Images)

“The takeaway isn’t to avoid these places.It’s to travel smarter.”

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