Is Your Child into Pokémon Cards? So Is the Japanese Mob — and Here's Why

For years, kids of all ages have collected Pokémon cards, trading them with friends after school or begging their parents to buy more at the store.

But now, another group of people has allegedly become interested in the popular cards bearing images of the franchise’s most beloved characters, including the Pikachu, Squirtle, Eevie and Charizard: the Japanese mob.

According to a report from Japanese outlet Shūkan Gendai, the cards are allegedly being used as a way to launder stolen funds.

In recent years, the value of some Pokémon cards has increased exponentially.

In July 2021, YouTuber-turned-boxer Logan Paul bought the most expensive Pokémon card in the world: a PSA grade 10 (read: perfect) Pikachu Illustrator card for a whopping $5,275,000 from a collector in Dubai, according to Guinness World Records.

According to Shūkan Gendai, criminals are taking advantage of the spike in the cards’ value.

“Many criminals who commit bank transfer fraud are converting the money they steal into Pokémon cards,” a former crime syndicate executive told the outlet. 

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“Shady money can’t be deposited in a bank, and there’s a high risk of it being stolen if you hold it in cash,” the executive said. Pokémon cards are easy to hide, and if you take them overseas and cash them there, you can’t get tracked down.”

Criminals can also make it look like they got their cash from simply buying the cards, according to Game Rant.

Cards are increasingly becoming a target of theft, IGN reports. According to IGN, the number of trading card thefts began soaring in 2022.

In November 2024, a rare, stolen Charizard Pokemon card worth approximately $37,000 was returned to its owner, the BBC reports.

In September 2024, thieves allegedly made off with Pokemon cards worth $70,000 — after asking store employees which cards were worth the most, NHK reports.