Pickpocket prevention Bosnia, Herzegovina

 For pickpocket prevention, I kept things intentionally minimal and hard to lose.

I carried only a single credit card, tucked into a slim key card holder, and stored it in a hidden pocket inside my shorts. In addition, I used an around-the-neck pouch for extra security, which I kept inside my backpack when not needed. The idea was simple: reduce exposure and avoid ever needing to access a full wallet in public spaces.

I also made a habit of keeping my phone in my hand or in my front pocket most of the time. If it wasn’t in my hand, it was secured in my back left pocket—the spot where a wallet would normally go—so I stayed aware of that area without actually carrying anything important there.

To add a layer of distraction, I created a decoy “wallet” using a plastic bag filled with folded papers. From the outside, it had the bulk and shape of a wallet, but it contained nothing of value. It sat in an easily accessible pocket, acting as a deliberate diversion.

Overall, the approach was about reducing risk rather than reacting to it: carrying less, hiding essentials, and making anything visible or reachable intentionally worthless.