Violent events linked to Marketplace transactionsMacBook and Pokémon cards in the crosshairs
The Laval Police Department (SPL) wishes to inform the population of an increase in criminal events in its territory linked to the Pokémon card phenomenon. This rapidly growing market is now attracting the attention of malicious people. Investigators from the Crimes against the Person squad recently arrested ten suspects in connection with several robbery events, including four involving the sale of Pokémon cards. Three of these events are being broadcast publicly today to raise awareness among the population of the speed and intensity of these crimes and, above all, to raise awareness among citizens about the security measures to take.
The facts The suspects allegedly contacted the victims via the Marketplace transactional platform, in order to organize the sale of Pokémon cards or MacBooks. The victims then presented themselves in a public place with the item for sale. When carrying out the transaction, the suspects allegedly used violence to force the victims to return the property in question and flee without having paid. Since January 1, 2025, the SPL has recorded 30 events linked to Pokémon cards. Of these, eleven have occurred since March 1, 2026, reflecting a recent increase. Of these files, seven events are marked by acts of violence, among which victims were sprayed with pepper spray. In total, 13 searches were also carried out in order to collect evidence for the prosecution files, as well as for other files linked to the wave of robberies of MacBooks. This operation mobilized several dozen investigators, the Azimut squad, Gendarmerie patrol officers as well as the Tactical Group intervention. Arrests and appearances On June 9 and 11, investigators arrested ten young men aged 16 to 18. Some were released on a promise to appear with conditions and two of them remained detained. They face charges such as robbery, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, assault, possession and trafficking of property obtained by crime.
Prevention tipsThe Laval Police Department invites the population to adopt these measures to reduce the risks associated with transactions on resale platforms such as Marketplace:* Validate the veracity of the seller’s or potential buyer’s account Check the date of creation, published photos, peer reviews and the number of subscribers of the account. * Be wary of changes in meeting points or intermediaries for the transaction. * Keep proof of the transaction Take screenshots of the listing, exchanges and buyer’s contact details before you travel. Also keep the URL address of the account used by the other party. * Use neutral meeting area or public places Carry out the exchange in a busy public place, monitored by cameras and well lit. Avoid meeting people in parks on residential streets or in the evening. Use the neutral zone located at 2911 boul. Chomedey in Laval, in order to carry out the transaction in a secure location, monitored by cameras. * Never go to a meeting alone. Go with a trusted person and inform a loved one of the time and place of the meeting. * Monitor your surroundings Arrive before the appointment time, observe your surroundings and stay on your guard during the transaction. Any form of distraction can be a subterfuge to steal your money or the item on sale. * Never pass on your personal information. Avoid sharing your address, social security number or banking information with the buyer. * Immediately report any act of violence to the police If you believe you are the victim of a crime, do not hesitate to contact our police officers immediately so that investigative steps can be quickly initiated and avoid the loss of valuable information for investigators.