As a seasoned gamer with decades of experience under my belt, I can say without a shadow of a doubt that the collectible card market, particularly Pokemon, has taken a wild turn these past few years. It’s almost surreal to think that these tiny pieces of paper have become so valuable and sought-after that they’re being used as a tool for money laundering!
Discussing with many collectors, you’ll find a consensus: the pandemic half a decade ago significantly impacted the method of purchasing and trading collectibles. The market for Pokemon cards was particularly affected, causing even large retailers like Target to regulate the quantity they sold per customer. Nowadays, these cards have gained such popularity that Japan’s media outlets claim organized crime groups are exploiting them as a means for money laundering.
According to a report by Shunkan Gendai Online (through Automaton), it has been discovered that criminals are using an unconventional method to launder their ill-gotten gains – by purchasing Pokemon cards. The compact nature of these cards makes them simple to conceal and transport, allowing the criminals to resell them and convert their earnings into local currency.
A former high-ranking member of a criminal organization noted that fraudsters involved in bank transfer scams often convert the stolen funds into Pokémon cards. Since illicit money cannot be deposited in banks and is risky to keep as cash, it’s easier to conceal Pokémon cards, and if you sell them abroad, it becomes more difficult for authorities to trace you.
Criminals have become more cunning in identifying and targeting valuable Pokemon-ex cards. Due to their scarcity, some criminals are now using metal detectors to find the foil on the cards, while others employ highly sensitive scales to check if an unopened pack contains a rare foil card.
In 2022, YouTube personality and WWE performer Logan Paul splurged a record-breaking $5.7 million for a graded Pikachu Illustrator card. This particular card is the most expensive one ever purchased due to its rarity. The Pikachu Illustrator card was exclusively given as a prize in the Original Illustration Contest held in Japan, and it’s estimated that only 20-39 copies have been officially released. On eBay, similar graded cards are listed between $2-$4 million.
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2024-12-17 20:38