Key Takeaways
- The #1 reported scam is the Nordstan Pickpocket Ring.
- Most scams in Gothenburg are low-to-medium risk.
- Use app-based ride services (Uber, Bolt) or official metered taxis instead of unmarked vehicles.
- Never accept unsolicited offers from strangers near tourist sites in Gothenburg.
⚡ Quick Safety Tips
- Keep phones and valuables in secure pockets when in crowded areas.
- Use only licensed taxis or app-based ride services.
- Book tours and tickets through verified operators with online reviews.
- Keep a copy of your passport separate from the original.
Jump to a Scam
The 3 Scams
You're browsing shops in Nordstan, Scandinavia's largest shopping mall, bags in hand after a productive morning.
A group of teenagers bumps into you near the escalator -- one stumbles into your path while another reaches for your jacket pocket from behind. It happens in two seconds. By the time you realize your wallet is gone, they've vanished into the crowd. Travelers on traveler reports and Swedish safety guides flag Nordstan and Central Station as the primary pickpocketing hotspots in an otherwise very safe city. The mall's proximity to the train station creates a constant flow of distracted travelers carrying valuables, making it ideal for organized pickpocket teams.
Red Flags
- A group of young people suddenly crowds around you in a tight space like an escalator or doorway
- Someone bumps into you from the front while another person is suspiciously close behind
- A person drops something in your path, causing you to stop and bend down
- You feel a light tug on your bag or jacket pocket that seems accidental
- The area is unusually crowded for the time of day, creating cover for thieves
How to Avoid
- Keep your wallet in a front pocket or deep inside a zipped crossbody bag at Nordstan.
- Be extra alert near escalators, exits, and the passage connecting Nordstan to Central Station.
- Avoid Nordstan after shops close in the evening when the area becomes less safe.
- Use contactless phone payment instead of carrying a physical wallet with cards and cash.
- Leave your passport in the hotel safe -- carry only the cash and one card you need for the day.
You exit Gothenburg Central Station late at night and see a car with a small 'Taxi' sign on the roof.
The driver offers to take you to your hotel for a flat rate of 400 SEK. It sounds reasonable until you learn that the same trip with a licensed taxi using the meter would cost 150 to 200 SEK. Sweden deregulated its taxi market in 1990, and as World Nomads and Swedish safety guides explain, this opened the door to unlicensed operators charging whatever they want. Some even use rigged meters or fake 'surge pricing' apps. Redditors on traveler reports warn that the area around Central Station is the worst spot for overpriced cabs in Gothenburg.
Red Flags
- The taxi doesn't display a yellow company sticker with a phone number and price comparison in the rear window
- The driver quotes a flat rate without you asking instead of using a meter
- The car lacks official taxi branding, a visible roof light with the company name, or a meter
- The price seems significantly higher than what taxi apps show for the same route
- The driver is parked away from the official taxi rank soliciting passengers
How to Avoid
- Use the Bolt or Uber app in Gothenburg for transparent upfront pricing.
- Look for the mandatory yellow price sticker in the rear window -- legitimate taxis must display it.
- Use established companies like Taxi Goteborg (031-650000) or Taxi Kurir.
- Public transit in Gothenburg runs late and covers the city well -- use the Vasttrafik To Go app.
- A fair metered taxi ride from Central Station to most hotels should cost 100-250 SEK depending on distance.
You're at Liseberg enjoying the rides and summer atmosphere when someone spills a drink on your jacket and immediately starts apologizing and dabbing at the stain with a napkin. While you're distracted by the cleanup, their partner slips your phone out of your back pocket. Swedish travel safety sites and traveler threads note that Liseberg during peak summer and major events like the Gothia Cup football tournament attract opportunistic thieves who use distraction techniques in dense crowds. Gothenburg is generally very safe, but large gatherings create the anonymity that petty criminals need to operate.
Red Flags
- Someone spills something on you and is overly eager to help clean it up
- A stranger creates an unexpected physical interaction in a crowded area
- You notice someone standing unusually close to you in a queue or crowd
- An argument or commotion breaks out nearby, drawing everyone's attention
- Your bag feels lighter or your pocket feels different after a crowded interaction
How to Avoid
- Use a zipped front pocket or a hidden phone pouch at crowded venues like Liseberg.
- If someone spills something on you, step away first and check your belongings before engaging.
- Don't carry your phone in your back pocket at crowded events or on trams.
- Leave unnecessary valuables in your hotel safe when visiting busy attractions.
- Be especially vigilant in queue lines for popular rides where people are packed tightly together.
🆘 What to Do If You Get Scammed
📋 File a Police Report
Go to the nearest Swedish Police (Polisen) station. Call 112 (Emergency) or 114 14 (Non-emergency). Get an official crime report — you'll need this for insurance claims. You can also report online at polisen.se.
💳 Cancel Your Cards
Call your bank immediately. Most have 24/7 numbers on the back of the card (keep a photo saved separately). Block any suspicious transactions before the thieves use your details.
🛂 Lost Passport?
Contact your nearest embassy or consulate. The US Embassy is at 33 Nine Elms Lane, London SW11 7US. For emergencies: +44 20 7499 9000.
📱 Track Your Device
If your phone was stolen, use Find My (iPhone) or Find My Device (Android) from another device. Don't confront thieves yourself — share the location with police instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
You just read 3 scams in Gothenburg. The full Travel Safety Series has 780+ more across 20+ countries.
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