Devastating Scam in Pokemon TCG Sparks Outrage

A devoted fan of the Pokemon TCG fell prey to a damaging scam on Lost Origin’s website, serving as a reminder to exercise caution when making online purchases.

As a collector, purchasing Pokemon cards can be an enjoyable experience, especially when seeking out older or more uncommon sets online. If you’ve ever bought a Booster Pack from platforms such as eBay or Facebook Marketplace, you’re likely familiar with the thrill of the hunt.

Acquiring cards from fellow fans through these platforms is incredibly convenient, but it is crucial to stay cautious when taking advantage of online deals. While the majority of sellers on these platforms are reliable and simply seeking to profit, there are unfortunately a few who have malicious intentions of scamming others.

Recently, a Pokemon TCG enthusiast shared their experience of attempting to purchase 60 Lost Origin Booster Packs on Facebook Marketplace with fellow members of the community. Unfortunately, the package they received contained only a few Silver Tempest Boosters covered in graffiti, some rubbish, and a piece of candy.

Made the mistake of trying to buy 60 Lost Origin Sleeved packs off facebook marketplace. They gave me a sucker and called me one too. byu/RingAnswerHello inPokemonTCG

The original creator playfully mentioned in their post that they were given a sucker and playfully referred to as one as well. It’s disheartening to witness fellow fans being taken advantage of while attempting to participate in the hobby. Other collectors within the community sympathized with OP and their disappointment over the lost Lost Origin collection.

If you intend to purchase Pokemon cards from an online reselling platform such as Facebook Marketplace, you cannot completely shield yourself from scams like this. However, there are certain measures you can take to reduce the likelihood of being deceived:

Sense check the price. Use a platform like TCGPlayer to double check the current market price for what you’re buying. You can use tools like the official TCG database to check card information, too. Does it seem too good to be true? If it seems too good to be true, best to leave it be for now.
Carefully examine the pictures. Are all the details mentioned in the caption clearly visible? If you have any doubts, feel free to request additional images.
Chat with the seller. If all else fails, hit up the seller and see if they’re willing to answer a few questions about the cards. Trust your gut – if you get a bad vibe from the seller or they say something odd, stick to a verified TCG platform instead.

As a Pokemon TCG fan, it is almost expected to fall victim to scams when purchasing cards. To minimize the risk, one can utilize online resources to verify card information and opt to shop at reputable local game stores or retailers for sealed stock when searching for their next chase card.