A surge in popularity among Pokémon trading card enthusiasts has led not only to a booming market, but also to an alarming rise in crime targeting these valuable collectibles. In a recent brazen robbery, three masked individuals stormed into the Poké Court shop in Chelsea, Manhattan, making off with more than $120,000 worth of merchandise.
The theft is just one example of a growing trend, according to industry insiders, who point to the astronomical rise in popularity of Pokémon cards and other collectibles among collectors. The demand for rare cards has been fueling a heated bidding war, with some items selling for life-changing sums - such as Logan Paul's Pikachu illustrator card, which is currently being offered at an astonishing $6 million.
Matt Quinn, vice president of CGC Cards, notes that the surge in popularity has attracted a new breed of collector to the world of Pokémon cards. These are adults who have turned their passion into a career and are now driving a significant influx of cash into the market. As a result, Quinn says, collectors need to treat high-value cards as they would diamonds or other valuables, taking extra precautions to secure them.
The threat of crime is very real, however. In November, a thief stole nearly $10,000 worth of Pokémon and sports cards from a SoHo store owned by Tom Brady, while in 2024, federal prosecutors charged a man with wire fraud for scamming buyers out of $2 million. Experts like Quinn stress that collectors need to be vigilant when carrying valuable collectibles.
The Poké Court shop owner, Courtney Chin, says the robbery was a shocking but not entirely unexpected event. "It's almost like a rite of passage as a card shop," she quips wryly, after having her store robbed just two years into operation.
As collectors continue to snap up rare and valuable cards, law enforcement agencies are taking notice - albeit without comment on whether there has been an uptick in robberies targeting Pokémon cards. One thing is clear: the world of collectibles has never been more lucrative - but it's also become a high-stakes game for those who dare to play.
The theft is just one example of a growing trend, according to industry insiders, who point to the astronomical rise in popularity of Pokémon cards and other collectibles among collectors. The demand for rare cards has been fueling a heated bidding war, with some items selling for life-changing sums - such as Logan Paul's Pikachu illustrator card, which is currently being offered at an astonishing $6 million.
Matt Quinn, vice president of CGC Cards, notes that the surge in popularity has attracted a new breed of collector to the world of Pokémon cards. These are adults who have turned their passion into a career and are now driving a significant influx of cash into the market. As a result, Quinn says, collectors need to treat high-value cards as they would diamonds or other valuables, taking extra precautions to secure them.
The threat of crime is very real, however. In November, a thief stole nearly $10,000 worth of Pokémon and sports cards from a SoHo store owned by Tom Brady, while in 2024, federal prosecutors charged a man with wire fraud for scamming buyers out of $2 million. Experts like Quinn stress that collectors need to be vigilant when carrying valuable collectibles.
The Poké Court shop owner, Courtney Chin, says the robbery was a shocking but not entirely unexpected event. "It's almost like a rite of passage as a card shop," she quips wryly, after having her store robbed just two years into operation.
As collectors continue to snap up rare and valuable cards, law enforcement agencies are taking notice - albeit without comment on whether there has been an uptick in robberies targeting Pokémon cards. One thing is clear: the world of collectibles has never been more lucrative - but it's also become a high-stakes game for those who dare to play.
! First of all, can we talk about how ridiculous it is that someone just robbed a card shop and made off with like, six figures? Like, what's the point of even having a "rite of passage" for being robbed? 
And don't even get me started on Logan Paul's Pikachu illustrator card - $6 million?! Are you kidding me?! That's just insane 
. I mean, I guess it's cool that adults are making a career out of collecting Pokémon cards and all, but can we please focus on something else for once? Like, have you seen the lines at Card Kingdom lately? Forget about getting in there before 10 am - good luck with that 
. And don't even get me started on the security measures they have in place... or lack thereof 
. It's just so frustrating when you're trying to buy a few basic cards and you end up getting caught up in all this hype 
.
That Pikachu illustrator card is CRAZY! I mean, I get it, collectors are hyped and all that, but come on! It's just a piece of cardboard with a Pikachu face on it 
. And now people are getting robbed for it? Like, what's next? Breaking into their houses to steal their old Pokémon games 
. Seriously though, it's just so sad when something like this happens. Those owners must be devastated. I guess that's just the price of being a collector, though... 
I mean, come on... $6 million for a Pikachu illustrator card? That's just ridiculous! It's like people are losing their minds over this stuff 
. Like, I get it, some of these cards can be super rare and valuable, but let's not go crazy here 
.
. Can't we all just enjoy the hobby without breaking the bank or worrying about getting mugged? 
I mean, I'm all for making some cash off these collectibles, but not at the expense of common sense or basic security precautions 
.
. Law enforcement needs to crack down on this stuff ASAP 
!
I'm not surprised to see the price of rare Pikachu cards goin' through the roof, but $6 million? That's just crazy talk! 
. Maybe we should be thinkin' about how to make collectibles more accessible instead of just makin' 'em super expensive and exclusive? Just a thought...
I mean, I get it, Pokémon cards are super valuable now, but come on... 
It's like, hello, there's security cameras everywhere! 
. Like, $120k is a lot of money, and it's just not worth risking your safety for. And can we talk about how ridiculous it is that people are buying cards for like, 6 million dollars? 
.
I mean, who doesn't love a good Pikachu 
. But seriously, with all this hype comes some major risks, especially when it comes to security. I mean, $120k worth of merchandise just gotten swiped in broad daylight? That's not cool at all 
. And it's not just the high-end cards like Logan Paul's Pikachu illustrator card (which is straight fire btw 
. I'm all for collectors making money, but not at the expense of their safety or security 
. The fact that some people are treating high-value cards like diamonds is just crazy 
.
. We'll just have to wait and see how this all plays out 
and can u even imagine if u had a rare card collection worth over a million?!? 
security cameras everywhere, pls 
. It's all about the Benjamins, but at what cost? 
.