With the rise of online gaming crimes, especially related to trading cards, the names of these criminal activities continue to thrive globally.
It seems that no place is exempt, particularly in locations that host stores selling Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh!, and other trading card products. Just recently, a gang specializing in these illicit activities was arrested, linking them to Team Rocket from the famous manga.
The Melbourne incident has garnered significant attention from the global gaming community.
According to law enforcement, this criminal version of Team Rocket has been accused of stealing thousands of dollars worth of Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh!, and Magic: The Gathering (MTG) cards since January 2025 by breaking into various gaming shops. This group is also reported to have robbed multiple ATMs, prompting police to launch an investigation and uncover a “treasure trove” containing various stolen items, including cards, car keys, and gaming-related materials.
Several suspects have been apprehended in connection with this criminal activity, including one individual who was caught stealing from 14 ATMs across commercial areas and gaming shops. Another suspect was also arrested for being involved in commercial theft, with a history of vehicle-related offenses, driving without a license, and possessing stolen goods. Two other individuals were released while investigations continued, as police believed they were only minor players in this larger criminal network.
It is noteworthy that this group is part of a larger criminal organization that targets the trading card gaming community, exploiting vulnerabilities within the system during their operations.
