A man in Vancouver has been arrested after allegedly using more than $10,000 in counterfeit cash to purchase Pokémon trading cards through Facebook Marketplace, local authorities report.
The Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) has seen a major boom in recent years, attracting collectors, investors, and unfortunately, scammers. With some rare cards selling for thousands of dollars, it’s become a prime target for fraud.
According to police, the suspect used the alias “Lovedeep Dhillon” on Facebook Marketplace and first bought $1,500 worth of Pokémon cards from a seller using fake bills. The victim later noticed something was off—the money had a strange texture, duplicate serial numbers, and easily peeled-off security features. Classic red flags for counterfeit currency.
But it didn’t stop there.
Despite pulling off the initial scam, the suspect tried to set up a second deal worth $2,700 with the same seller. This time, though, the seller was ready. Working with the Victoria Police Department, they helped set up a sting operation that led to the suspect’s arrest.
“One man was arrested and $10,200 in counterfeit currency was recovered,” said Victoria Police in a statement (via Dexerto). “We believe there may be other victims linked to this seller.”
Investigators suspect the man used similar tactics to buy not just Pokémon cards, but also electronics and other high-value items across the platform. Police are now combing through his past transactions to uncover the full scope of the fraud.
The Pokémon TCG scene has been wild lately. With scalpers scooping up new card drops and flipping them for double or triple the price, the value of certain cards has skyrocketed—especially limited editions and mint-condition classics. Unfortunately, that’s drawn in bad actors looking to cash in (literally) by any means necessary.
And this isn’t even the only Pokémon-related drama in Canada this year. Just last month, a fight broke out in a Costco parking lot over newly restocked Pokémon cards—proof that this is no longer just a kid’s hobby. For many, it’s serious money.
The investigation into this counterfeiting case is still ongoing, with police urging other possible victims to come forward.
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