The Incident
In late February 2026, over 100 victims — including students — came forward after losing a combined S$700,000 in an alleged Pokémon trading card preorder scam involving two Singapore-based resellers: Fulfillment TCG and PawsTCG.
The scam unfolded through Carousell and Telegram, where Fulfillment TCG had been taking preorders for Pokémon Elite Trainer Box cards since January 2026. On 20 February, customers were asked to make full payment to secure their goods, with delivery expected between 23–25 February.
Instead of receiving their cards, victims received a message on 25 February from Fulfillment TCG stating that everyone who preordered was "a victim of a scam." The reseller claimed to have transferred over S$300,000 to supplier PawsTCG between January and February 2026, and that PawsTCG had allegedly gambled away the money. Both Carousell stores have since been shut down.
The largest individual loss reported was a staggering S$365,280. Police reports have been filed and investigations are ongoing.
A Growing Problem
This incident is part of a troubling trend in Singapore's TCG community. Since October 2025, police data shows that S$958,000 has been lost in scams involving Pokémon trading cards. Earlier in February 2026 alone, two separate arrests were made:
- A 25-year-old man was arrested on 5 February in connection with scams totalling over S$135,000
- A 24-year-old seller was arrested on 9 February after 21 reports of scam losses totalling S$69,000 — he had been advertising on Telegram and became uncontactable after receiving PayNow transfers
How to Protect Yourself
The Singapore Police Force has issued advisories urging collectors to take precautions when purchasing trading cards:
1. Buy from authorised sellers only — Stick to reputable card shops and verified sellers with established track records
2. Use cash on delivery — Never pay in full before receiving and inspecting products, especially for high-value preorders
3. Be wary of large discounts — If the price seems too good to be true, it probably is
4. Avoid pressure tactics — Scammers often create urgency with limited-time offers or claims of scarce stock
5. Verify through multiple channels — Check the seller's history, reviews, and presence across different platforms before committing
6. Use secure payment methods — Avoid direct PayNow or bank transfers to unknown individuals; use platforms with buyer protection where possible
What TCG.SG Is Doing
At TCG.SG, we take the safety of our community seriously. Our platform includes AI-powered listing analysis that scans for potential fraud indicators in titles, descriptions, and pricing. We encourage all users to report suspicious listings and to use our in-platform transaction system for added accountability.
If you or someone you know has been affected by this scam, file a police report immediately and contact the Anti-Scam Helpline at 1800-722-6688.
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Sources: [Mothership.sg](https://mothership.sg/2026/02/pokemon-trading-cards-preorder-scam/), [The Straits Times](https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/some-are-just-kids-victims-of-alleged-700000-pokemon-card-scam-band-together-for-support), [Stomp](https://www.stomp.sg/trending-now/over-100-people-including-students-allegedly-lose-700k-pokemon-card-supplier-telegram)