FBI Joins Probe Into $963K Theft Of Graded Pokémon And Sports Cards
PSA said the FBI and Santa Ana police are investigating the October 13 theft of 6,451 graded cards from a FedEx truck near its grading facility. The stolen shipment included nearly 3,000 Pokémon cards along with sports and other trading cards, with an estimated value above $963,000. PSA has supplied video, shipping records, and item-level data to investigators.
PSA said the October 13 theft involved 6,451 graded cards taken from a FedEx truck parked near its Santa Ana facility. More than 200 packages were en route to owners after grading; the shipment included 2,978 Pokémon cards, 898 One Piece cards, 880 basketball cards, 640 baseball cards, and other sports and TCG items. The New York Times put the total value above $963,000.
PSA has deactivated the stolen items’ certification numbers and circulated the inventory to marketplaces, auction houses, and online commerce platforms to deter resale. It also refunded grading fees for affected orders, separate from item compensation, and asked anyone with information to contact the FBI’s Los Angeles office.
The theft could heighten concerns among collectors and dealers about shipping high-value cards, potentially prompting more insurance, tracking, and secure delivery practices. Marketplaces and auction houses may face added pressure to verify graded-card certification, while affected owners may deal with delayed compensation and uncertainty. The case may also draw more attention to organized theft targeting collectibles, though its broader effect on the hobby remains uncertain.