Nice hotel theft: fake bellhop steals €100,000 from Ukrainian tourists

Monday 20 July 2026 - 19:50

By: Sahili Aya

Nice hotel theft: fake bellhop steals €100,000 from Ukrainian tourists

A man posing as a hotel employee allegedly stole around €100,000 worth of valuables and personal belongings from two Ukrainian tourists at a four-star hotel in Nice, in a case that has raised concerns over security risks targeting travelers.

The incident took place on Friday, July 17, at the AC Hotel by Marriott, located near the famous Promenade des Anglais. According to initial reports, the suspect approached the guests while wearing what appeared to be a hotel bellhop uniform and offered to help them with their luggage.

Investigators believe the man used the opportunity to gain access to the victims' room by manipulating their key cards. A police source explained that the suspect allegedly exchanged the guests' working access card for another one, keeping the valid card and leaving them with an unusable replacement.

The theft allowed the individual to enter the room and remove valuables belonging to the two tourists. The total value of the stolen goods was estimated at approximately €100,000, including personal items and other possessions.

The suspect, described as being around 50 years old, reportedly disappeared after the alleged theft. Police have launched an investigation to identify and locate him, examining available evidence and possible surveillance footage from the hotel.

The case highlights the vulnerability of travelers to impersonation scams, particularly in high-traffic tourist destinations where criminals may attempt to exploit guests' trust by posing as service staff.

Hotels and tourism professionals regularly emphasize the importance of verifying staff identities and maintaining strict access-control procedures to protect guests and their belongings.

Authorities are continuing their investigation as they seek to determine whether the suspect acted alone or may be connected to similar incidents targeting visitors in the region.