In a recent incident that has caught attention in Japan, a 35-year-old man has been apprehended for stealing approximately 1,500 Pokemon cards valued at 1.15 million yen (S$11,000). Reports indicate that the man responded to a social media post offering a “dark” part-time job and was promised a significant payment for carrying out the theft. However, he never received the agreed-upon compensation, leading to his arrest. This incident sheds light on a growing trend of Pokemon card-related crimes in Japan, where these highly sought-after cards can command substantial prices.
The Pokemon Card Crime Spree
Japan has witnessed a surge in Pokemon card-related crimes, with incidents regularly making headlines. The Wall Street Journal reported on this phenomenon, highlighting the substantial value that popular Pokemon cards can fetch on the market. In May, for instance, a store in Kumamoto prefecture had 600 cards stolen, including one worth 600,000 yen. Similarly, in the Yamanashi prefecture, a man was arrested for stealing Pokemon cards worth 2.2 million yen. These incidents reflect the lucrative nature of Pokemon cards and the allure they hold for both collectors and criminals.
The Alleged Burglary
On April 12, at around 5 am, the suspect, Masaki Omori, reportedly broke into a store located in Tokyo’s Akihabara district to carry out the theft. It appears that the store was specifically selected by the individual who hired Omori. Despite the store selling other items, Omori was instructed to focus solely on stealing the Pokemon cards. Prior to the burglary, Omori traveled from Okinawa to Ibaraki prefecture and then to Akihabara, using his own funds to rent a car for transportation.
The Mysterious Contact and Unfulfilled Payment
According to investigators, Omori received certain equipment, including a glove, from an unidentified man at a store in the Tokyo suburbs. The man’s connection to the burglary remains unclear. Omori later delivered the stolen cards to a contact at a park in Ibaraki prefecture as instructed. However, when Omori went to collect his payment at a designated location, he was left waiting as no one showed up. It was during this time that Omori decided to report the incident to the police.
Motivation and Investigation
Omori allegedly revealed to the authorities that he resorted to theft due to financial difficulties resulting from significant gambling losses. Investigators are now utilizing his smartphone to trace the individual or group responsible for hiring him for the criminal act. By tracking the digital trail, the authorities hope to uncover the identity of those involved in orchestrating the theft.
The theft of 1,500 Pokemon cards worth $11,000 by a 35-year-old man in Japan highlights the allure and value these collectible cards hold. The incident sheds light on a larger trend of Pokemon card-related crimes occurring in the country. As law enforcement agencies intensify their efforts to tackle this issue, it serves as a reminder of the importance of responsible collecting and ethical practices within the Pokemon community.
