Smart Moscow - crime in Moscow

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Sightseeing in Moscow

Crime in Moscow

Like any big city, Moscow needs to be treated with respect. While it can be dangerous if you are not careful, if you’re a smart traveler you won’t have any difficulties. During the Soviet period Moscow was mostly free of major crimes such as murders and robbery due to the strict authoritarian rule and the lack of freely availably weapons.

During the collapse of Soviet rule, Moscow became famous for mob rule and frequent hits on the street. This was typically not random crime, but disputes being settled between businessmen. One of the most famous of these crimes which comes to mind is the murder of Paul Tatum, an American businessman who co-owned the Radisson Slavanskaya Hotel in Moscow. He had a public dispute with his partner, a Chechen businessman. While descending into the metro in 1996, Paul was ambushed by men toting AK-47s.

Those days of mob hits are mostly in the past, as the spoils of the Soviet Union have been divided among the powerful and it’s in their interest to insure the status quo.

The most common crimes that the tourist in Moscow should be aware of are pick-pockets, muggers and scammers. I have learned of all the following crimes from tourists who reported them directly to me.

Pick-pockets are very frequent on the Moscow metro. As the metro can get very crowded, the thieves use this opportunity to press up against you can search through your purse, taking your wallet and other valuables. The visitor often doesn’t even know he’s been robbed until hours later.

Muggings happen frequently. For instance a visitor who took a gypsy taxicab was surprised when the driver pulled over, took out a knife and forced the passenger to hand over his wallet and leave without his luggage. Another instance recently happened with two young British tourists who visited then B2 Club in central Moscow. They met two pretty young girls who invited them to walk around central Moscow later in the night. Together they entered a small park and two young men joined the girls, beat the visitors and all four disappeared with their valuables.

Scams are also very frequent in the center. One favorite scam happens on Red Square when the tourist is walking along and an English-speaking local finds a wallet on the ground in front of you. He asks if it’s yours, and when you answer no, he offers to share the contents with you. He starts divvying up the money when along comes the owner of the wallet. The owner claims that you stole some of the money. He then searches you, sometimes with the help of a fake policeman, and take any cash you have of your own.

History of Moscow

Map of Moscow (from 2008)

Map of Moscow (from 1653)

Excursions / Private Guides Moscow

Boat Tours on the Moscow River

Viewing Lenin's body in Moscow

Communism Lives in Moscow