Pokémon card collector left in tears after thieves steal $200,000 collection

Yves Bruynen, a famed Pokemon TCG collector has had a collection of cards valued over $200,000 stolen by thieves, leaving him heartbroken.

Yves first found some internet fame after pulling a PSA 10 Charizard worth over half a million dollars back in 2021 and has since been a pillar of the community and industry. He even opened his own shop featuring everything Pokemon. Sadly, it’s here that Yves found his collection stolen as earlier in January thieves broke in and pocketed a huge number of valuable cards.

Anything based on Pokemon is seen as big business nowadays

According to reports, the team of thieves broke in by using wi-fi jammers and headsets using technology to best security while a member of the criminal gang kept watch outside. Bruynen spoke on the theft saying, “They came into the store with big bags. They mainly targeted the most expensive and exclusive products. They left out the new products, which are worth a little less.”

Of course, the Pokemon TCG world is small when it comes to high-priced cards, so they shouldn’t be too difficult to track down. Bruynen is currently offering a reward of €10,000 to anyone who can provide clues to capture the thieves. “I’m really devastated, I cried,” said Bruynen when interviewed. “It’s a life’s work that I’ve built over the past ten years. All of that disappeared in one fell swoop. As far as I’m concerned, it’s going to be a real manhunt. I have to get them back, because, unfortunately, insurance won’t cover everything.

Sadly, these kinds of thefts are growing due to the value of collectible items. Pokemon, along with Magic the Gathering, are seen as big business, particularly when it comes to those high-value rarities. Nowadays there’s a lot more online discussion on these items and hobbies so they’re becoming the target of thieves and scalpers all too often.