The popularity of the worldwide phenomenon Pokemon has caught the attention of criminals, with a series of robberies happening across the globe over its trading cards. Stepping away from its target audience of children, Pokemon cards have become a key interest for collectors and scalpers, with some cards being auctioned for millions by resellers. Countries like the United States and Hong Kong have reported a series of robberies involving the cards, raising serious concerns.
Pokemon is a multi-million dollar franchise that began with the creation of the games Pokemon Red and Pokemon Blue in 1996 by Japanese game designer, Satoshi Tajiri. The franchise has gained a massive fan following over its 30 year run, with its content being enjoyed by kids and adults alike. Pokemon trading cards played a major role in its success, with many milennials and gen-z growing up collecting and playing with them.
The release of the mobile game Pokemon Go pushed the popularity of Pokemon even further and the COVID-19 pandemic allowed trading cards to experience a resurgence.
In 2025, Youtuber Logan Paul made headlines by auctioning an ultra-rare Pikachu card for a whopping $16.5 million, setting a record as the most expensive trading card ever sold. The sale reflected a shift to the cards being a serious investment instead of mere collectables. According to a report by Strategic Market Research, the global trading card market is projected to touch $23.5 billion by 2030.
However, the immense valuation of the cards have drawn the attention of criminals from all over the world.
Syed Rezwi, an online creator, told The New York Times, “Knowing Pokemon cards can provide a way to make a quick buck has made thefts more common.”
Jared Mast, an expert in alternative investments, pointed out the role of the uncertain economy, making people desperate to find their own source of income.
“As people feel uncertain about the economy, they tend to gravitate towards ‘hard assets’ such as Pokemon cards. These can be held on to for value and resale,” he told ABC News.
Numerous high-stakes heists from all around the world, including the US, the UK, Hong Kong, and Canada have been reported in April. After the cards are graded, they are sold on online marketplace at high prices.
Thieves broke into a store in Anaheim, California, after tunneling through a wall and stole $180,000 worth of Pokemon cards earlier this week.
ABC News reported that a trio of armed robbers in New York City locked roughly 40 people in a store and stole Pokemon cards and cash. The incident took place during the first community event organised by the store, Poke Court.
“They took the items that had really large price tags, including a professionally authenticated, first-edition Charizard card that is worth about $15,000,” the owener Courtney Chin told The New York Times.
Hong Kong has seen a recent pattern of snatch-and-grab robberies. On April 9, a man enetered a shop in Tsim Sha Tsui and asked to view two rare Pokemon collector cards worth $31,917. When the shopkeeper handed the cards, he took them and fled.
Reports from Canada mention three teenagers using bear spray using a Pokemon card robbery.
Shopkeepers are finding it hard to continue running their business, with some shutting down after back-to-back robberies.
