Pokemon card collectors have lost $163,000 to scammers since January

SINGAPORE – A spike in Pokemon trading card scams has cost some 50 people at least $163,000 in total since January 2025.

Preying on fans of the Pokemon franchise, which has a famous tag line “gotta catch ’em all”, grifters put up listings for character cards on Carousell and Facebook.

When collectors encounter them and express interest in the cards, the phony sellers would convince them to move the conversation to messaging apps like Telegram and WhatsApp, said the police on Feb 6.

In screenshots provided by the police, Pokemon card “dealers” are seen asking for $1,900 for a case of the V MAX Climax set or $1,300 for Surging Sparks.

After orders are placed, victims would pay by PayNow or bank transfer, discovering the ruse only when they did not receive the cards, or when sellers became uncontactable.

At least 53 cases have been reported in 2025, said the police.

Buyers should keep their conversations with sellers within the online marketplace platforms and transact in person so that they can inspect the product before paying for it, added the police.

Those seeking more information on scams can visit

www.scamshield.gov.sg