Terri Settle thought she had resolved her Pokémon card theft issue in August. Settle, the owner of Terri’s Trinkets and Toys located in Winnipeg’s north end, experienced a theft when someone entered her store, grabbed a box full of Japanese cards, and ran away. Fortunately, her employee was able to catch up to the thief and retrieve the stolen cards. Following this incident, Settle zip-tied the box to a shelf, believing it to be secure.

However, the knots were not tight enough. A few weeks later, on the night of September 8, another thief crawled through a vent, smashed a hole in the wall of her store, and escaped with approximately 20,500 Pokémon cards. As a result of this significant loss, totaling $2,500, Settle announced her decision to cease selling Pokémon cards once her remaining inventory is sold. “It’s just not worth the risk,” she stated.

This theft is part of a troubling trend; numerous Pokémon card thefts have been reported across Canada and the United States in recent years, leading to losses amounting to hundreds of thousands of dollars. In a notable incident in July 2024, a robbery in Ontario resulted in a store employee being struck in the head by a fleeing suspect, who stole three Pokémon cards worth around $5,000. In another case, an Alberta store owner experienced a theft last month in which a binder of cards valued at approximately $18,000 was taken, including the highly sought-after Umbreon ex card.

In an effort to combat these thefts, the Alberta RCMP is urging the public to be vigilant when purchasing Pokémon cards through online platforms. Cpl. Mathew Howell advised potential buyers to exercise caution on sites like Facebook Marketplace, emphasizing the need to be aware of the rarity of certain cards and their identification numbers.

Dr. Utku Akkoc, a University of Alberta professor, provided insight into the reasons behind such thefts. He noted that Pokémon cards have a nostalgic appeal for many, particularly those who grew up with the franchise. “Even as a kid, I had Pokémon cards. I used to watch the original Pokémon show with my siblings, so for people above a certain age, it reminds them of those good old days,” he said. This nostalgia can influence spending habits, as research indicates that nostalgic feelings often lead people to make purchases.

Since the franchise’s inception nearly 30 years ago, Pokémon has expanded into a global phenomenon, encompassing animated series, mobile games, and a variety of merchandise. The gameplay involves players taking on the role of trainers who battle with a diverse range of creatures known as Pokémon, each possessing unique strengths and weaknesses. Pikachu, the franchise’s iconic character, illustrates this dynamic, being fast yet vulnerable to ground attacks.

The rarity of certain cards can significantly increase their market value. For instance, social media influencer Logan Paul famously sold a Pokémon card called the Pikachu Illustrator for a staggering $16.5 million earlier this year. This card, which Paul purchased for over $5 million in 2021, is considered one of a kind as it was never intended for public sale. Instead, it was awarded as a prize in a 1998 illustration contest organized by a Japanese magazine.

Cards are often graded by companies such as the Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA), which rates them on a scale from 1 to 10. A perfect card must meet several standards, including sharp corners, focused imagery, and original gloss. Paul’s Pikachu Illustrator card achieved a perfect PSA 10 rating, further contributing to its historical sale price.

Settle expressed concerns that many victims of Pokémon card theft do not insure their collections due to the high cost, leading her to believe she may never recover her financial losses. “I think you’ll hear that from a lot of people in this kind of business,” she remarked.