Man arrestado for stealing $24K Pokémon card with fake cryptocurrency while at police HQ

A Philadelphia man has been arrested after police say he used fake cryptocurrency to steal a rare Pokémon card worth more than $24,000 during a sale at a police department.

Por qué esta historia importa ahora

According to Evesham Township Police, 26-year-old Christian Elam contacted a seller on Facebook Marketplace about buying a rare Poncho-Wearing Pikachu XY-P promo card.

El contexto que mueve la conversación

The card, which features Pikachu dressed in an outfit resembling Mega Charizard X, was listed for sale at $24,200.

Qué puede pasar después

The seller and Elam agreed to meet at the Evesham Township Police Department Safe Exchange Zone in Marlton, New Jersey, on June 14 at around 6:30pm.

Lectura rápida para la comunidad

Safe Exchange Zones are designed to give buyers and sellers a safer place to complete online marketplace transactions, with police saying the area is well-lit and monitored by video.

However, investigators claim Elam appeared to send the seller $24,200 worth of cryptocurrency during the meetup, but the payment was later found to be counterfeit and had no real value.

Cops say man pulled off Pokémon card scam at police headquarters

Despite the deal taking place at police headquarters, the seller later realized they had allegedly been scammed and contacted authorities.

Police said detectives used surveillance video from the exchange zone and parking lot to help identify Elam as the suspect.

According to NJ1015, investigators said automatic license plate readers also flagged Elam’s Volkswagen Jetta on the Betsy Ross Bridge shortly before and after the sale.

Facial recognition and a tattoo on Elam’s left arm were also cited as evidence linking him to the meeting.

Elam was arrested after returning from an overseas trip and taken to Burlington County Jail.

He has been charged with second-degree computer-related theft and third-degree theft by deception.

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