Shocking New Pokemon TCG Fraud Report Reveals Just How Big the Problem Is (How Do You Spot Them?)

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Most Pokemon fans are aware that reselling, or “scalping,” of Pokemon Trading Card Game products and other Pokemon merchandise has become a major issue. Recently, people have even been reselling limited-edition Pokemon Pop-Tarts and store displays from Target. Beyond high prices and limited availability, another problem is affecting Pokemon card collectors: fake cards. While many resellers are legitimately buying and marking up real products, not all Pokemon cards being sold are authentic.

A new report from PSA, a trading card grading company, shows that fake Pokemon cards are a growing problem. They estimate that the number of counterfeit cards jumped by over 45% last year compared to 2024. While fakes often feature athletes like Michael Jordan, Pokemon cards are now the most common type of fraud in the trading card hobby. This means collectors hoping to find rare cards could end up spending a lot of money on something that isn’t genuine.

6 Pokemon Top the List for Most Counterfeited Cards in 2025

If you’re part of the online Pokemon card community, you’ve probably seen posts from people who excitedly ordered a rare card, only to receive a fake. It’s difficult to spot a counterfeit just from an online listing, which is why fake cards are becoming increasingly common. While platforms like eBay and PSA have systems to protect buyers, counterfeit cards still slip through. In fact, PSA reports that Pokemon cards are the most frequently counterfeited trading cards on the resale market, and that’s not surprising given how popular they’ve become in recent years.

In 2025, Pokemon characters were the most common subjects of fake trading cards, appearing on six out of the top ten most counterfeited cards. Charizard, Pikachu, Gengar, Rayquaza, Umbreon, and Mewtwo were all frequently copied. This isn’t surprising, considering how popular these Pokemon are and how valuable their cards can be. The Pikachu with Grey Felt Hat and the 1999 1st Edition Charizard Holo were especially targeted by counterfeiters. While most fakes are removed before being sold, it’s wise to be careful when buying popular Pokemon cards.

Fortunately, the fraudulent cards reported are ones that PSA has already identified as fakes. This suggests that while scammers are producing a lot of counterfeit cards, most aren’t successfully sold on platforms like eBay that have verification systems. Experts can distinguish genuine cards from fakes by looking at details like print clarity, font consistency, foil patterns, and the quality of the card stock. If you’re concerned about a card’s authenticity, pay attention to these details and only buy from trusted sellers who verify their products.

It’s frustrating for Pokémon fans that fake cards are becoming a problem on top of already dealing with limited availability and inflated prices. While the increasing popularity and value of the Pokémon Trading Card Game is exciting, it also creates opportunities for fraud. If you’re looking for a rare card, be sure to carefully check the seller and where the card is coming from to avoid getting scammed. You can find more information about how PSA identifies fake cards and see a list of the most commonly counterfeited cards in the full 2025 fraud report here.

Have you ever bought a fake Pokémon card? Share your story in the comments and join the discussion on the ComicBook Forum!

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2026-05-07 23:43