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

As tourists descend on one of Spain'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 occurred near Palma, the capital of Mallorca, according to the Majorca Daily Bulletin.

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

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.

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 13.5 million visitors in 2025, Fox News Digital previously reported — a large number for an island that measures roughly 1,400 square miles, slightly smaller than Rhode Island.

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," Castellanos told Fox News Digital.

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"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 levels across much of Europe.

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.

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"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.

He cited anti-theft cross-body bags and zippered front pockets as crucial ways travelers can protect themselves from 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."

Jessica Mekles of Fox News Digital contributed reporting.