Japanese electronics giant Bic Camera is finding creative ways to thwart Pokémon card scalpers. At their Ikebukuro West branch in Tokyo, customers must now pass a written Pokémon quiz to purchase the highly anticipated Ninja Spinner expansion.

The Ninja Spinner set is a Japan-only, ninja-themed expansion released in March. It features Mega Evolution Pokémon and includes desirable Special Art Rares, many of which feature Greninja. Due to its high ratio of secret rares, the set has become a primary target for Pokémon card scalably.

The Rules of the Pokémon Quiz

As spotted by X (formerly Twitter) user Ryo Saeba, the Ikebukuro West branch has implemented strict measures to ensure fans, rather than resellers, get access to the cards. To combat Pokémon card scalpers, the store has established several layers of defense:

  • A 15-question test about the Pokémon universe, written in Japanese.
  • A strict prohibition on using phones or taking photos to look up answers.
  • A "one box per customer" purchase limit.
  • A requirement for purchasers to hold a Bic Camera loyalty account (via app or physical card).
  • The removal of the outer box's shrinkwrap to prevent items from being resold as "sealed."

One successful test-taker reported that the experience was actually quite pleasant. They noted that "the store staff came up with an easy quiz that anyone who likes Pokémon could answer," adding that the staff even said, "Congratulations!" when they passed. Some questions are reportedly as simple as asking for the name of the Pokémon featured on the box.

Rising Crime and Retail Restrictions

The move to stop Pokémon card scalpers comes amid a broader trend of theft and fraud within the TCG community. Many users on X have applauded Bic Camera’s initiative, with some framing the quiz as a victory against specific groups of resellers.

Other Bic Camera locations are also implementing their own versions of purchase limits. For example, the Sapporo branch in Hokkaido uses a different method: buyers must present a Japanese driver's license or a My Number (tax ID) card, effectively limiting sales to residents of Japan.

The industry is currently facing a significant rise in high-stakes crimes involving trading cards:

  • Japan: A shop was recently robbed of $92,000 in cards, allegedly by the owner of a rival TCG store.
  • Australia: A string of thefts occurred across stores in Melbourne in February 2025.
  • United States: Spates of robberies have been reported in cities such as Boston, Los Angeles, and Seattle.
  • New York: In January 2025, a store was robbed at gunpoint of $116,000 worth of cards during a busy event, leaving 50 people held hostage.