The Greedy Report: Pokémon Card Thieves Are Hitting Stores Across Canada

> Quick answer: Pokémon card thieves are targeting hobby shops across Canada. Cases include a Winnipeg break-in through a vent, an $18,000 binder loss in Alberta and a violent robbery in Ontario. Police are asking buyers to stay alert on Facebook Marketplace, since some rare cards carry an identification number that can be traced.

Pokémon cards used to be a playground hobby. Now they're a target.

As prices climb, thieves have turned their attention to card shops, collectors and even the mail. Here's what's happening, where it's happening and how to protect yourself as a buyer.

Why are thieves targeting Pokémon card stores?

The short answer is value. Pokémon cards are worth more than ever, and they're small, light and easy to move.

The top of the market shows how high prices can go. Earlier this year, Logan Paul sold the Pikachu Illustrator for a record US$16.5 million. Most cards are nowhere near that, but headlines like that put the whole hobby on criminals' radar.

Shops that hold large stock are obvious targets. Reported thefts across Canada and the US add up to hundreds of thousands of dollars in losses.

What happened at the Winnipeg Pokémon card store?

On Sept. 8, a thief crawled through a vent at Terri's Trinkets and Toys in Winnipeg.

They left with about 20,500 Pokémon cards. That's a $2,500 loss for a small shop.

The damage didn't stop at the money. Owner Terri Settle is quitting Pokémon altogether. For a small business, one break-in can be enough to walk away from a whole product line.

How much was stolen from the Alberta card shop?

A central Alberta store owner recently lost a binder worth about $18,000.

The priciest card in it was an Umbreon ex. One version of that card is worth $1,413.

Binders are an easy grab. They hold a lot of value in one place, and a thief can carry one out in seconds.

Have Pokémon card thefts turned violent?

Yes. In a July 2024 robbery in Ontario, a store worker was hit in the head by someone running off with three cards.

Those three cards were worth about $5,000.

That's the worrying part of this trend. When a few pieces of cardboard are worth thousands, some people are willing to hurt others to get them.

Are Pokémon card shipments being stolen too?

They are. As prices soar, thieves are also going after mail-order Pokémon card shipments.

That puts online sellers and buyers at risk, not just physical stores. If you sell or buy cards by mail, a package sitting on a doorstep or moving through the system can become a target.

How are police catching Pokémon card thieves?

Stolen cards have to be sold somewhere, and that's often where thieves get caught.

In one case, deputies say a suspect wanted in a Pokémon card theft was caught selling a stolen $2,000 Walking Dead comic at a pawn shop.

Resale points like pawn shops and online marketplaces are where stolen goods surface. That's why police are asking buyers to pay attention.

How can you avoid buying stolen Pokémon cards?

Alberta RCMP are urging buyers on Facebook Marketplace to stay alert.

Here's what that means in practice:

• Check for identification numbers. Some rarer cards carry an identification number. Write it down and compare it against any reports of stolen cards.
• Ask where the card came from. A real seller should be comfortable explaining how they got it.
• Be careful with big lots. Thousands of cards or a full binder being sold all at once deserves a second look, especially after a theft in your area.
• Report anything that feels off. If a listing matches a reported theft, contact local police.

Buying stolen cards hurts shop owners like Terri Settle. It also keeps the market for stolen goods alive.

What does this mean for collectors?

The Pokémon card market is hot, and that heat brings risk.

Stores are losing stock. Workers have been hurt. Shipments are being targeted. And at least one shop owner has given up on Pokémon entirely.

Collectors can help by buying smart, checking identification numbers where they exist and staying alert on marketplaces. Follow Greedy TCG for more updates on the Pokémon card market.

FAQ

How many Pokémon cards were stolen in Winnipeg?

About 20,500 cards were taken from Terri's Trinkets and Toys on Sept. 8, a $2,500 loss. The thief got in by crawling through a vent.

What was the most valuable card in the stolen Alberta binder?

The priciest card was an Umbreon ex, and one version of it is worth $1,413. The whole binder was worth about $18,000.

Can stolen Pokémon cards be traced?

Some rarer cards carry an identification number, which can help link a card to a reported theft. Alberta RCMP urge buyers on Facebook Marketplace to stay alert.