I got in a fight with a gang of Paris pickpocketers – it was terrifying but here’s what to look out for

An American who moved to France has made a video about the scary moment she got into a fight with notorious Parisian pickpockets.

Amanda Rollins, a writer and brand strategist from Boston, quit her job to move to the city with nothing but her cat, a suitcase full of clothes and $1,500.

She has since documented her new life as a Parisienne on Instagram and TikTok wherever she visits @americanfille.

However, one of her latest videos recounted a terrifying experience that saw her come face to face with the city's pickpockets.

She told her 909,000 followers: 'I just had a fight with the pickpockets of Paris – literally all of them, like nine of them, and yes, I made a video so I'm going to show you.

'I just got home, I'm a bit stressed. So I was on the [Metro] Line 1 and I got off at Palais Royale Musée du Louvre.

“As I walk down the stairs, I see a group of known pickpockets.”

The writer explained: 'When I say this is a known group of pickpockets – when the drivers see them getting on the train, they come over and say, 'Hey guys, pickpockets just got on the train, so watch your stuff ', because she knows who these people are.

“I know who these people are, once you see them you know who they are.”

Thinking back to the exchange, she immediately wanted to shout 'attention pickpocket' to let everyone around her know.

However, she realized that they were going in the same direction as her and decided to “film them so people can see what they look like and what they wear.”

The American revealed: 'What they wear is what identifies them, they have a large jacket with a shoulder bag and what they will do is use their jacket to cover their arm while they reach into your things and slide into their own bags.

The American revealed: 'What they wear is what identifies them, they have a large jacket with a shoulder bag and what they will do is use their jacket to cover their arm while they reach into your things and slide into their own bags'

“Apparently there was one or two behind me who saw I was filming, so they started saying, 'Hey, what are you doing? You can't film, you don't have the right to film' and I thought I could do whatever I wanted.'

'They didn't like that so they started shouting at me and I didn't care, I just kept filming. So then I thought, 'Whatever, I'll just keep going,' but then they followed me and I thought, 'Okay, I guess we'll do this.'”

Amanda decided to start filming again as they followed her around because “if something were to happen” she “wanted to at least have a video of it.”

Shocked, she recalled, “They're filming me and taking my face, so they're probably going back to their damn leader and showing who I am, and I'm probably going to get eliminated next week, but all I want is for you to have a nice have time in Paris.

“It breaks my damn heart when I hear stories about people coming here and becoming pickpockets.”

The Boston native revealed that she's been pickpocketed no less than five times, so it's “personal” for her.

She angrily told her followers: 'Paris is a great city, but these kind of people, the scum of the earth, these thieves are ruining it for everyone else.

'Then one of them pushed me and I pushed her back. Sorry, I'm very shocked right now. Stop stealing from people.

The disturbing conversation took place on metro line 1, with Amanda getting off at Palais Royale Musée du Louvre

“Here's the video: All these girls here are walking fast with crossbody bags, they're known pickpockets.”

In the video you see the group shout something in French at the tourist, before she responds: 'Touch me again and it will be the last time you use your fingers, I'm telling you that right now.'

Amanda concluded the video by emphasizing, “Stealing from people is wrong, period. All this to say: I know what I just did is risky and probably stupid, but if you're ever in Paris and you see one of these people, keep your lock down.”

She laughed, “For God's sake, let this video save at least one person or I'll be eliminated for no reason.”

One shocked commenter wrote: 'Five times? I am so sorry. Are you OK? I have never experienced it thankfully and take the metro every day. Be safe'.

Another wondered: 'If even the drivers know about them, why don't the police do anything about it? Please stay safe!!!'

Meanwhile, others wrote: 'I'd be carrying around a bait bag with mouse traps in it' and 'Good for you!!! That's scary, but also proud of you for standing up for yourself!!!'

Someone else added: 'They followed me onto the train with my travel bag and bags. I sat on all my stuff in the corner of the train and just stared at them.”