Pokemon Card Scam in Singapore: Victims Report $700K Losses & Form Support Group
SINGAPORE – The surging popularity of Pokémon trading cards has attracted not only collectors but also fraudsters, leaving a trail of financial losses for over 100 individuals, including students, in Singapore. Losses currently total approximately $700,000, according to reports and a dedicated support group formed by victims.
The scam centers around pre-orders for the latest Pokémon card sets, specifically the Ascended Heroes collection released on . Victims report paying a reseller operating through the Telegram channel “fulfillmenttcg discussion” – under the handle PawsTCG – for Elite Trainer Boxes, a popular product among collectors. The boxes are currently available at the official Pokémon store on Lazada for $109.90 each.
Kenny Ang, a 37-year-old collector, experienced the scam firsthand. After an initial refund for a delayed order of $7,000, subsequent orders totaling $10,000 remained unfulfilled. Ang’s experience prompted him to create a Telegram channel, “Scam Support Group,” on , to connect victims and facilitate information sharing. As of on , the channel had grown to 292 members.
The scale of the alleged fraud is significant. Victims have documented losses totaling over $761,439 across 119 reported entries on a website called Pokevictimboard. The victims include secondary school and polytechnic students, as well as individuals working part-time to fund their hobby, highlighting the broad demographic affected by the scam.
The police have confirmed that a report has been filed and investigations are ongoing. However, the financial impact extends beyond individual losses. The incident underscores a broader trend of increasing scams related to e-commerce and collectible items in Singapore.
According to a report, Pokémon trading cards accounted for 13.6% of all e-commerce scam cases in 2025. The total amount lost to these scams reached at least $1.6 million during that period. The majority of victims (40.8%) were aged between 20 and 29, with a substantial portion (over 30%) falling within the 30-49 age bracket.
The surge in demand for Pokémon cards, fueled by the franchise’s enduring popularity and the potential for high resale values, has created an environment ripe for exploitation. Scammers are capitalizing on the release of new and exclusive sets, preying on collectors eager to secure rare cards. The police have stated that scammers exploit the demand for new and exclusive releases and rare cards with high resale value.
While the current investigation focuses on PawsTCG, the incident raises concerns about the broader risks associated with purchasing collectibles from online resellers. Mr. Keith, another victim who lost $335 in a group order, lamented the damage to the reputation of the Pokémon collector community in Singapore. He estimates the total losses could equate to the cost of a Housing and Development Board (HDB) flat.
Despite their negative experiences, both Ang and Keith expressed a continued interest in purchasing Pokémon cards from resellers, acknowledging that physical stores may not always offer the desired selection. Keith advised potential buyers to conduct thorough due diligence and check reviews before making a purchase.
The case also highlights the challenges faced by law enforcement in tracking down perpetrators and recovering lost funds. According to Ang, the individual identified as the “mule” for PawsTCG reportedly had only $8 remaining in his bank account, suggesting that the scammer – referred to as the “final boss” – had already gambled away the stolen money.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the financial risks associated with online transactions, particularly in the realm of high-demand collectibles. The growing prevalence of such scams underscores the need for increased vigilance, enhanced consumer protection measures, and continued law enforcement efforts to combat fraudulent activity in the e-commerce space.