How the New Tricks of Ballermann Thieves Work – How Tourists are Swindled on Playa de Palma

New Tricks at Ballermann: Why You Shouldn't Be Careless on the Beach

It's late, the last sun-worshippers are packing up, somewhere a beach bar is still playing music – and that's exactly when it happens: a handbag disappears, a mobile phone vanishes. This is how tourists described at the end of August how two men on Playa de Palma let a bag be carried away. Shortly after, local police arrived; tourists had detained the perpetrators.

What I noticed on site: The thieves operate calmly, almost unobtrusively. No loud shoving, no brawls. Instead distraction, routine glances, a quick hand. In one case the police found the bag and a phone only a few meters from the beach buried in the sand – as if the perpetrators hoped no one would look.

The Case of the Tracked Watch

Another chapter: A street vendor who allegedly traded on the promenade and is nicknamed 'Helmut' was also arrested. He is suspected of pulling 500 euros from a tourist's purse and stealing another's phone. A bit of tech irony helped: The watch on the wrist of the stolen phone sent a location message – and betrayed the offender after he had moved more than ten meters away.

This isn't folklore, it's a system: In peak season Playa de Palma attracts plenty of opportunistic thieves. Some travel here specifically, from other countries, and have only one thing in mind: easy prey. Often it's groups that work in shifts – one distracts, the other grabs.

What You Can Do Now

A few fairly simple things really help: Always keep bags closed and worn on the body, don't leave valuables openly next to towels. Set your phone so that it can be located quickly if lost. And: calmly ask other beachgoers for help rather than just shouting – two or three more attentive people often do more than a police officer in the distance.

The local police were visibly determined; those arrested were quickly taken away. Is that enough by itself? Probably not. We also need more vigilance in bars and from landlords who rent out beach loungers. A little skepticism doesn't hurt—even where the beer is cold and bags are open.

I am often out in the evenings along the Seaside Promenade and see the scene: families heading home, groups still staying for one last drink. If people say the Playa has become rougher—that's not an alarm, but an observation. Watch your stuff, and tell others if something seems odd. Often that very thing helps deter thieves from trying here.

Note: In case of theft, file a report immediately and have devices located. Note the time and place — that helps the police.