The Maipú Criminal Investigation Brigade (Bicrim) of the Investigative Police (PDI) arrested a 30-year-old man accused of defrauding collectors selling Pokémon cards in the Metropolitan Region. According to police, the losses exceed $3 million.
The Western Metropolitan Prosecutor's Office led the investigation, according to meganoticias.cl. The sources do not specify the arrest date or the case number (RIT or RUC, the codes used by the Judiciary and the Prosecutor's Office to identify each proceeding).
According to the PDI, the suspect searched social media for young people selling limited-edition cards, some valued at $500 thousand each. After agreeing to buy them, he faked payment by depositing empty envelopes in ATMs or using false bank transfer receipts.
To avoid appearing in person, he sent drivers from transport apps to collect the cards. Beforehand, he gave the sellers the driver's details to gain their trust.
"The perpetrator used a delivery service to collect the cards to avoid police action," explained the head of Maipú's Bicrim, Deputy Prefect Patricio Ruiz. Speaking to BioBioChile, Ruiz added that the man used documents that "would ultimately prove to have no funds backing them".
Police identified the suspect after analyzing security camera footage and cross-checking data. With an entry and search warrant from Santiago's 9th Guarantee Court, they raided his home in the municipality of Pedro Aguirre Cerda.
At the property, detectives seized eight high-value serial-numbered cards, $3 million in cash and other evidence. The chief prosecutor for Western Flagrancy, Patricio Rosas, said the recovered cards are valued at $2.5 million and will be returned to their owners.
The case is being investigated as repeated fraud and other fraudulent offenses. So far, at least three victims have been identified, and the PDI is investigating whether the detainee committed similar fraud involving other collectibles.
The suspect, who has no prior criminal record, appeared at a hearing to review his detention and was placed under precautionary measures, meaning restrictions during the investigation. The sources do not detail those measures or the time limit set. As the case is under investigation, the man is presumed innocent unless convicted.
The next steps depend on the Western Metropolitan Prosecutor's Office gathering evidence from other possible victims before deciding whether to file charges.
