How tourists lose money in seconds in Paris — and how you can walk away untouched
Last updated: 2026
So you finally made it to Paris and naturally, you are in vacation mood. The sun is shining, the food is good, the wine flows freely. Unfortunately, you might find out the hard way (like I did :p ) that distracted tourists make very easy targets.
One of the most common Paris tourist scams — and one of the fastest ways to lose cash — is the shell game scam. It looks harmless. It looks entertaining. It even looks like something you can watch for “just a second.” That second is usually enough to pull you in.
This guide explains exactly what the Paris shell game scam is. Why this cups and ball trick looks easy to beat. Where you might encounter it and why it works so well on many smart, experienced travelers. But most importantly, how to avoid it completely.
If you’re planning a trip to Paris and want practical, real-world Paris travel safety tips, this is one scam you absolutely want to recognize before you see it in real life.
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Table of contents
- What Is the Shell Game Scam in Paris?
- You Can NOT Beat the Shell Game!
- The Long History of the Shell Game
- Where Tourists Encounter the Shell Game in Paris
- How to Avoid the Shell Game
- Are Scams Common in Paris?
- Final Thoughts: Avoid the Shell game!
- FAQ: Paris Shell Game and Tourist Scams
- Paris Fun Things To Do instead of Losing Money
What Is the Shell Game Scam in Paris?
Are you planning a trip to Paris? Or another big city? Likewise, hustlers are preparing how to release you from your money. Find out how to beat them in their shell game!
The shell game scam in Paris is a classic street con that’s been around for generations, just dressed up for modern tourists.
A scammer uses three cups, shells, bottle caps, or sometimes cards. A small ball is placed under one of them. The cups are shuffled quickly, and you’re invited to guess where the ball ends up.
It looks simple. It looks almost too easy.That’s the trap.
Yes, I totally fell into the trap. (Cautionary tale)
Cearly, it would be super easy to play and win. Tom told me that he had tried it in New York City once, and lost $10. Laughing at him and his follies, I continued to watch the game. So simple! Why didn’t these people get it right?!
I admired the skill of the hustler. He would draw people in, and quickly change cups when they weren’t watching, subsequently pocketing their money. There were a lot of people watching and inevitably some were drawn in. Some of them even won!
Suddenly, he singled me out and was like “You there! Where is the ball?” “I will double your money!” Dollar signs were flashing in front of my eyes. Eagerly and confidently stepping up to him I said “I would love to play but I only have 30 Euros.” “Hey, no problem, ma’am, what about your husband?” Tom showed a 20 dollar bill which was happily accepted by our friend the hustler. The scene was set. Of course I guessed wrong… Sadly but predictably, I had to say goodbye to our money…
How the Paris Shell Game Scam Actually Works
This is not a fair game. What you’re really watching is a coordinated team. There’s the main operator moving the cups. There are one or two “plants” in the crowd pretending to win money. And often there’s at least one person whose only job is to watch bags, pockets, and wallets while your attention is locked on the game.
This isn’t entertainment. It’s a well-practiced system designed to separate tourists from their money.
You Can NOT Beat the Shell Game!
The scammer is good at what he does, pulling in people. You will see some people lose, but that is only because they stupidly chose the wrong cup. As a bystander, your friendly neighborhood hustler will convince you that you could do so much better than those “losers”. Spectators always see more than the players do.
After I lost 50 Euros to that Paris hustler (hurting my self esteem even more than our wallet!) I did what any self respecting person would do. I asked my friend Google about the shell game experience. Google quickly reassured me that it is almost impossible to win the shell game.
Why Smart Travelers Still Fall for This Scam
Overconfidence for the win! Seeing the “winners” walk away with one hundred Euros assured me that of course I could do that. My degree in Computer Science proves that I am smart! I know everything!
That is why the shell game is a so-called confidence trick. Human nature makes all of us consider ourselves better than average. The combination of our greed (Money, money, money!) and our vanity does make us obvious targets for the crook. Here are a few of the strategies they might be employing to gain your trust.
You don’t fall for the shell game scam because you’re naive. You fall for it because it’s designed to work on people who think they’re paying attention.
It uses:
- Social proof: Other people appear to be winning
- Confidence: You’re not playing, just watching
- Momentum: Everything happens fast, so there’s no pause to think
- Curiosity: You want to see how it ends
Many travelers say the same thing afterward: “I knew better. I just didn’t think it would happen to me.”
That’s exactly the point.
The Long History of the Shell Game
Unsurprisingly, this game has been around for a long time. It seems that in any given period of time, there were people willing to bet on an simple win. Or at least on what they expected to be an obvious win. As well as people who were good at convincing other people to part with their money in exchange for, well, nothing.
Gaming from Ancient History till Modern Days
According to the Encyclopaedia Brittanica, both the Greeks and the Romans played this game. In Great Britain, the game is called thimblerig and was played with three thimbles and a pea or button. It first showed up in the early 1800s, from thimble + rig (obsolete for a trick, scheme).
The game is illegal almost everywhere, but it also is a simple enough game to pack up and disappear. Usually a group of people is involved and some of the members will be posted as look-out to warn everyone when the police shows up.
Where Tourists Encounter the Shell Game in Paris
The shell game scam relies on foot traffic and distraction, so it almost always appears in places where tourists naturally slow down.
Common locations include:
- Montmartre, especially near Sacré-Cœur
- Areas around the Eiffel Tower
- Busy bridges and scenic viewpoints
- Popular metro exits
- Any crowded tourist hotspot where people stop to look around
If you see a small crowd gathered in a loose circle with someone performing a quick street “game,” assume it’s a scam and keep walking.
How to Avoid the Shell Game
This game is a popular tourist scam not only in Paris, but also in New York City, Barcelona, Amsterdam, London and even Las Vegas. So how do you beat the shell game?
The ONE way to Beat this Tourist Scam
This is the simplest advice in this entire guide.
Do not stop.
If you see a street game involving cups, shells, or cards, walk away immediately. Don’t watch. Don’t comment. Don’t stand at the edge of the crowd.
Other practical Paris travel safety tips:
- Keep your bag zipped and worn in front in crowded areas
- Never take out your wallet near a street game
- Ignore anyone encouraging you to “just watch”
- Trust discomfort — if something feels off, it probably is
You don’t win by playing smarter. You win by not playing at all.Remember, it is a confidence trick. And the trickster is better at it that you are.
The internet is full of stories by people, self-declared smart people, taken by this tourist scam. Do not become one of them. Instead spend your money on a good dinner at a Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant like the Bistrotters. Or hang out at Hemingway’s favorite haunt: La Closerie des Lilas.
What to Do If You’ve Been Targeted or Lost Money
If you realize you’ve been targeted, don’t chase the scammers. That can make things worse.
Move to a safe, well-lit area. Check your belongings carefully. If a card or wallet is missing, cancel cards immediately.
You can file a police report, but be aware that these scams move quickly and arrests are rare. The most important thing is limiting any further loss.
Are Scams Common in Paris?
Yes, many scams exist in Paris, especially in high-tourism areas. That doesn’t mean Paris is unsafe.
Most visitors never experience a problem at all. Awareness goes a long way. Knowing what to avoid means you can focus on the good parts — the food, the museums, the neighborhoods, and the everyday beauty that makes Paris worth visiting in the first place.
Staying alert doesn’t mean traveling in fear. It just means knowing when to keep walking.
Final Thoughts: Avoid the Shell game!
Have you fallen for the shell game or other tourist scams in Paris or other tourist destinations? Share your story in the comments so we can all learn from it.
The shell game scam is annoying, but it’s avoidable.
Once you know what it looks like, it loses its power completely. You’ll spot it from across the street, keep moving, and save your money for things that actually matter — a great meal, a museum ticket, or another pain au chocolat.
Paris rewards travelers who pay attention. Let the scammers fade into the background, where they belong.
FAQ: Paris Shell Game and Tourist Scams
Is the shell game illegal in Paris?
Yes. The shell game is considered fraud in Paris and throughout France. However, scammers rely on speed, crowds, and the ability to pack up and disappear quickly, which makes enforcement difficult.
Where are tourists most likely to encounter the shell game scam in Paris?
Tourists most often encounter the shell game scam in busy, high-traffic areas such as Montmartre near Sacré-Cœur, around the Eiffel Tower, near popular bridges, and at crowded metro exits.
How can tourists avoid scams in Paris?
The most effective way to avoid scams in Paris is to never stop for street games, keep valuables secured, and walk away immediately from anything that feels off or overly performative.
Is Paris safe for first-time visitors?
Yes. Paris is generally safe for tourists, including first-time visitors. Most scams are easy to avoid once you know what to look for, and simple awareness greatly reduces the risk of losing money.
Can you ever win the shell game?
No. The shell game is a confidence trick designed so that the operator always controls the outcome. Any apparent winners are part of the scam, and there is no strategy that allows a real participant to win consistently
Paris Fun Things To Do instead of Losing Money
- Paris on a Budget;
- Visit Monet for Free;
- Important tourist scam warning: How To Beat the Shell Game !
- Hang out with the Lost Generation at La Closerie des Lilas;
- Find out about affordable Michelin restaurants in Paris: Bib Gourmand;
- Find out geeky Van Gogh facts and then seek out some of his paintings in Paris;
- Stay in Paris for free using your Hilton Honors points;
- Or use a free Hilton weekend certificate.
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