S'pore man, 25, arrested for Pokémon trading card scams with losses over S$135,000

A 25-year-old man has been arrested for his suspected involvement in a series of e-commerce scams linked to the sale of Pokémon trading cards, with victims suffering losses of more than S$135,000.

Police said they received 35 reports from individuals who were allegedly cheated after responding to online listings advertising pre-order sales of limited-edition Pokémon trading cards on Carousell.

Victims paid upfront before seller allegedly disappeared

According to investigations, victims had made payments through PayNow or bank transfers, after which the seller would either become uncontactable or give excuses such as delivery failures.

The cases have been reported since October 2025, police added.

Following follow-up investigations, officers from the Ang Mo Kio Police Division established the identity of the alleged seller and arrested the man on Feb. 5, 2026.

The suspect is expected to be charged in court on Feb. 7 for the offence of cheating under Section 420 of the Penal Code.

If convicted, the offence carries a jail term of up to 10 years, along with a fine.

Police warn of wider spike in Pokémon card scam cases

The police said scams involving the sale of Pokémon trading cards have become a growing concern.

Since Oct. 1, 2025, at least 609 cases of such e-commerce scams have been reported, with total losses amounting to at least S$1.1 million.

Authorities stressed that they will take firm action against those involved in scam-related offences.

The police also noted that from Dec. 30, 2025, scammers and individuals involved in scam syndicates may face mandatory caning of at least six strokes, with up to 24 strokes in more serious cases.

Public advised to take precautions when shopping online

Police urged members of the public to remain vigilant when making online purchases, especially for high-value or limited-edition products.

They advised buyers to purchase only from authorised or reputable sellers, warning that deals that appear too good to be true often are.

Consumers were also encouraged to use payment methods with buyer protection, such as in-app options that release funds only after delivery, instead of making advance payments or direct transfers.

Additionally, buyers should be cautious of sellers who attempt to move conversations onto messaging platforms such as WhatsApp, WeChat or Telegram, or who provide identification documents to appear legitimate.

For more information on scams, members of the public can visit www.scamshield.gov.sg or call the ScamShield Helpline at 1799.

Anyone with information related to such scams can contact the police hotline at 1800-255-0000 or submit details online via the i-Witness portal.

Top images via SPF, Unsplash