Thieves target mail order sales as Pokémon card prices soar
As one card recently sold for £12m, opportunistic thefts have surged – envelopes are being opened en route, costing small businesses thousands Pokémon’s success over the last 30 years has seen it grow from a much-loved Game Boy classic, to a world-dominating brand with TV shows, spin-off games, toys and even a theme park. The trading card game is a huge part of that, with more than 85bn cards…
Thieves have been targeting mail order sales as Pokémon card prices skyrocket. The surge in thefts has resulted in envelopes being opened during transit, causing significant financial losses for small businesses. Pokémon's immense popularity over the past three decades has transformed it from a beloved Game Boy game to a global phenomenon with various media, including TV shows, games, toys, and a theme park.
The trading card game is a significant aspect of Pokémon's success, with over 85 billion cards produced throughout its history. The demand for these cards remains high, leading to limited availability in stores and a thriving secondary market fueling the hobby's growth. The recent sale of a single card for £12 million has intensified the competition among collectors, resulting in increased thefts targeting card shops.
In addition, small businesses have reported losses due to thieves specifically targeting envelopes in Royal Mail deliveries, resulting in thousands of pounds in revenue loss.
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