Thieves Steal Over $315,000 Worth of Trading Cards from Grading Company

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Summary

  • Thieves recently stole $315,000 worth of Pokemon cards from Ace Grading.
  • The company said it has started to reach out to customers whose cards were stolen to give them details on how to claim compensation.
  • Ace Grading said it’s implementing additional security measures to prevent similar events in the future.

As a seasoned gamer with decades of collecting under my belt, the recent theft of over $315,000 worth of Pokemon cards from Ace Grading has left me shaking my head in disbelief and disappointment. The world of collectibles has always been a sanctuary for us enthusiasts, but it seems that even this haven isn’t safe anymore.

As a passionate collector, it’s heartbreaking to learn that my beloved Pokemon TCG cards and other trading cards, worth approximately $315,000, were swiped from Ace Grading, a trusted card grading business. The allure of these collectibles, particularly Pokemon cards, has skyrocketed in value, and the graded versions are even more sought after. It seems that it didn’t take long for unscrupulous individuals to realize this lucrative opportunity, resulting in Ace Grading and its customers experiencing a loss due to the actions of a few.

It appears that crimes related to trading cards, particularly Pokemon and similar collectibles, have seen an increase lately due to their resurgence in mainstream culture. In July alone, thieves made off with over $1 million of Pokemon cards from a warehouse. Individual collectors have also reported being targeted by thefts. Now, even the businesses that appraise the value of these items are finding themselves as potential targets.

On December 13th, 2024, Ace Grading publicly announced and posted a video on YouTube, indicating they had been hit by a skilled burglary. The local authorities verified the incident and reported that the stolen goods were valued at approximately £250,000, which is equivalent to around $315,000. As a grading company, Ace Grading does not own most or possibly all of the cards they handle; instead, these belong to customers who send them for appraisal. This characteristic might have made Ace an attractive target for thieves, as highly-graded cards command significantly higher prices. For instance, a Japanese Dark Charizard card rated PSA 10 can fetch over $1,090, whereas an ungraded or lower-quality version of the same card is worth only about a third of that value.

Ace Grading Will Reimburse Affected Customers for Stolen Cards

The company is contacting customers whose cards were stolen to provide them with instructions on how to receive compensation. As stated, they have already assessed the value of each card according to market value and will use these estimates when refunding customers. Previously, Pokemon card thieves have been apprehended by police, so it’s hoped that law enforcement can find these culprits as well. In the interim, Ace Grading is enhancing security precautions to prevent such incidents from occurring again in the future.

As cards continue to escalate in worth, it becomes quite understandable why they are attracting the interest of criminals. Given that one draw could be worth thousands, individuals will undoubtedly seek out ways to acquire such a prized asset. In fact, there have been cases where factory employees have been accused of stealing Pokemon cards before they even make it to stores. This issue is on the rise, and for now, the most practical advice for owners and caretakers of rare cards is to implement all possible safety measures to secure these valuable items.

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2024-12-20 00:07