Singapore Man, 25, Arrested for Pokemon Card Scams — S$135,000 in Losses
A 25-year-old man has been arrested for his suspected involvement in a series of e-commerce scams linked to the sale of Pokemon trading cards, with victims suffering combined losses exceeding S$135,000.
Singapore Police said they received 35 reports from individuals who were allegedly cheated after responding to online listings advertising pre-order sales of limited-edition Pokemon trading cards on Carousell.
How the Scam Operated
According to police investigations, the suspect posted listings for limited-edition Pokemon trading cards on Carousell. After victims made payments through PayNow or bank transfers, the seller would either:
- Become completely uncontactable, or
- Provide excuses such as delivery failures to buy time
The suspect was expected to be charged in court on February 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.
Pokemon Card Scams Hit S$1.1 Million in Losses
This arrest comes amid a wider spike in Pokemon card scam cases across Singapore. Police revealed that since October 1, 2025, at least 609 cases of such e-commerce scams have been reported, with total losses reaching at least S$1.1 million — a significant jump from the S$958,000 figure reported in December 2025.
Mandatory Caning for Scammers
Police noted that from December 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. This represents a significant escalation in penalties aimed at deterring scam activity.
Safety Tips for TCG Buyers
Police urged members of the public to remain vigilant when making online purchases, especially for high-value or limited-edition products:
- Purchase only from authorised or reputable sellers
- Use payment methods with buyer protection, such as in-app options that release funds only after delivery
- Avoid advance payments or direct bank transfers
- Be cautious of sellers who attempt to move conversations to WhatsApp, WeChat, or Telegram
- Be wary of sellers who provide identification documents to appear legitimate
Protecting Yourself on TCG.SG
Our platform is designed with safety in mind:
- AI-powered fraud detection automatically flags suspicious listings and pricing
- Verified seller profiles help you identify trustworthy sellers
- Transaction reviews let the community share experiences
- Listing reporting enables quick flagging of suspicious activity