Real-life Team Rocket busted for stealing $50k in Pokemon cards & cryptocurrency ATMs
The Pokemon CompanyA real-life version of the Pokemon gang ‘Team Rocket’ has been busted for allegedly stealing over $50,000 in Pokemon and Magic: The Gathering cards along with six crypto ATMs.
Pokemon crimes continue to plague cities all over the world and it doesn’t seem like anywhere is exempt, even Melbourne, Australia.
According to police, a “significant network of offenders” had allegedly stolen thousands of dollars worth of Pokemon, Yu-Gi-Oh and MTG cards since January, 2025 by breaking into game stores.
The group also reportedly stole six cryptocurrency ATMs, which led police on an investigation where they uncovered an “Aladdin’s cave” of goods, including firearms, car keys and the aforementioned cards.
The Pokemon CompanyPolice warn Pokemon gang connected to “crime syndicate”
As reported by Coin Telegraph, four men were arrested in connection to the crime spree with one charged with 14 counts of burglary of commercial cryptocurrency ATMs and commercial games stores.
A second person was charged with five commercial burglaries, three counts of theft of motor vehicle, unlicenced driving and possessing a prohibited weapon.
Meanwhile, the other two were released pending further investigation, but the authorities believe this was just the tip of the iceberg.
Detective Inspector Patrick Watkinson said this group is part of a larger crime organization and thanked the trading card community for their support.
“This was a highly organized and coordinated police operation, and we thank the vigilance of the affected trading card community and the invaluable support from industry partners – which assisted in the dismantling of a significant network of offenders,” he said.
“Police have also identified the lesser offenders supplying stolen goods and, more importantly, the Middle Eastern Organised Crime Syndicates tasking the apprehended offenders,” Watkinson explained.
The Detective further indicated that the main offenders had been apprehended, but sent a chilling warning to other crime syndicates operating in Australia.
“With every arrest we move one step closer to dismantling your enterprise and all those connected to it, seizing your illicit wealth and holding you accountable,” he added. “Your luck will eventually run out!”
This isn’t the only alleged crime group involved in Pokemon cards. Last December, a Japanese crime syndicate was implicated in buying and selling Pokemon cards to launder money.
