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There is a crime syndicate in Australia specializing in Pokémon cards and cryptocurrency, according to local police. Australian police officials raided at least four properties in the Melbourne area in February, uncovering "an Aladdin’s cave of items” including $50,000 worth of trading cards for Pokémon and other games. 

Crime reporter Marta Pascual Juanola reported on the situation for the Age, stating that the raids come following a recent crime spree where 12 area hobby shops were burglarized over a six-month period. According to the reporter, shop owners say that an "estimated $1 million" in trading cards have been stolen over the past six months, which is 20x what police say they have recovered so far.

Australian detective inspector Patrick Watkinson is quoted as saying that the Pokémon crime syndicate is a "significant network of offenders," and so far they have arrested four individuals in connection with these crimes.

“We are confident that we have apprehended the main offenders who were sharing their criminal tradecraft with lesser offenders,” Watkinson says. "Paying others to do your dirty work won’t keep you hidden. With every arrest, we move one step closer to dismantling your enterprise and all those connected to it, seizing your illicit wealth and holding you accountable. Your luck will eventually run out.”