Pokemon Card Scam Nets Fraudster Over 5 Million Baht
A Pokemon card investment scam defrauded over 20 victims of more than 5 million baht, with the suspect gaining trust through normal transactions before disappearing with final shipments and closing all social media accounts.
On August 19, Jit Isara led a group of victims to file complaints at the Central Investigation Command. The victims reported being defrauded in a Pokemon card and collectible card investment scheme totaling over 5 million baht in losses.
A 15-year-old victim, referred to as Mr. A, said he first met the suspect at a gaming and card event in Bangkok. The suspect befriended him and persuaded him to buy Pokemon cards. Over approximately four months, purchases and deliveries proceeded normally, yielding about 10 percent profit on resales. This built trust, and the victim continued investing because the suspect's profile appeared credible and was known among traders and card game enthusiasts.
Contact with the suspect occurred through a personal Facebook account, not a business page. All payments went to a single bank account. Eventually, the victim did not receive the latest shipment of cards; the suspect claimed customs or shipping delays. The victim also loaned the suspect about 10,000 baht. His personal losses totaled approximately 140,000 baht.
Twenty victims have experienced similar behavior, with combined losses exceeding 5 million baht. The suspect has since closed his Facebook and Instagram accounts and cannot be reached.
Another victim, a 23-year-old named Mr. L, met the suspect through another victim. The suspect proposed trading graded Pokemon cards initially, including a Umbreon "Split Earth" card with a market price of 500,000 baht, which the suspect offered for 410,000 baht. Mr. L was eventually defrauded, losing approximately 640,000 baht.
Jit Isara said all victims are filing formal complaints with the Crime Suppression Division to pursue legal action. The suspect's fraud extends to other collectible cards beyond Pokemon, and authorities expect additional victims to come forward.
