A Japanese Pokémon card shop is taking matters into its own hands following a break-in, offering a substantial cash reward for the suspect—with one strict condition. Kaitorip, a small trading card shop located in Gifu, Japan, dealt with a major theft overnight on July 22 when a burglar tore through the store shelves and walked off with the majority of the card stock.

Quick Facts

  • Location: Kaitorip shop in Gifu, Japan
  • Date of incident: Overnight on July 22, 2026
  • Live capture bounty: 1,000,000 yen (approx. $6,100 USD)
  • Solid lead reward: 50,000 yen (approx. $305 USD)
  • Law enforcement contact: Seki Police Station

Details of the Kaitorip Reward

Following the overnight burglary, Kaitorip posted security footage of the break-in on X and outlined specific financial terms for any assistance in tracking down the culprit. Whoever hands the thief over alive receives 1 million yen, roughly $6,100 USD. Anyone providing a solid lead earns 50,000 yen, about $305 USD, with the shop promising complete anonymity for tipsters.

Online reactions quickly focused on the shop's specific wording regarding a "live" capture. Because Kaitorip operates as a secondhand buyback shop that appraises goods by condition, social media users joked that a damaged thief might fetch a lower trade-in price. The shop quickly clarified that the full 1 million yen payout stands as long as the suspect is breathing.

The story gained broader attention after being featured on Fuji TV's Mr. Sunday broadcast, pushing the appeal across Japanese social media platforms. Kaitorip has directed anyone with relevant information to contact the Seki Police Station directly while continuing to share updates on X.

The incident adds to a string of recent high-profile trading card thefts in Japan and abroad. In May, two men were arrested in Tokyo for stealing $213,000 worth of Pokémon cards from a delivery van using insider knowledge of the driver's route. Other recent cases include a Philadelphia man arrested for attempting to pay for a rare Pikachu card with fake cryptocurrency, and various targeted shop robberies across different regions.