Key facts
- Pokémon card sellers are experiencing targeted thefts from mail shipments.
- Thieves are cutting open envelopes sent via Royal Mail and stealing the contents.
- Businesses like Bath TCG and Mana Rock Games have reported significant revenue loss.
- Some retailers have temporarily halted online sales due to the risk of theft.
- Royal Mail has stated it is investigating the issue and taking reports seriously.
Thieves are increasingly targeting mail order sales of collectible trading cards, particularly Pokémon, as soaring prices create lucrative opportunities for illicit gains. Retailers report that envelopes sent via Royal Mail are being deliberately cut open and their contents stolen, leading to significant financial losses and reputational damage.
Ben Thyer, owner of Bath TCG, described a spate of incidents where customers received envelopes that had been tampered with, with the valuable cards missing. He noted that the consistent method of Sellotape application on the envelopes indicated deliberate action. The business has since stopped online sales, estimating a loss of £4,000-£6,000 in potential revenue. Similarly, Daniel Stack, director of Mana Rock Games, experienced similar thefts, losing around £120 worth of Magic: The Gathering cards. He also temporarily halted online sales, costing his business £500.
These incidents are not isolated, with other sellers in the area reporting similar issues. Buyers typically choose their delivery method, often opting for Royal Mail services, and cards are frequently sent in distinctive, branded envelopes. Royal Mail has acknowledged the reports and stated that the safety and security of mail are top priorities, with thorough investigations underway in collaboration with law enforcement.
With a new, highly anticipated 30th-anniversary Pokémon card set due for release, retailers anticipate a further increase in scalping and reselling activity, potentially exacerbating the problem of theft from online sales.