Singaporean collector seeks public help after bag stolen at trading card show

A Singaporean collector has turned to social media to track down a couple allegedly involved in the theft of his personal belongings at a high-profile industry event. The incident, which has gained significant traction online, highlights the risks faced by a dedicated collector in Singapore during large-scale public gatherings.

The theft occurred on October 9 at the CAPS Card Show, known as the premier event for trading card games and collectibles in the country. According to the victim, he was at the event held at Junction 8 in Bishan when his sling bag, which contained a collection of valuable trading cards, was taken. The man, who identified himself in surveillance footage as the individual wearing a blue shirt, had briefly placed his bag on the floor while negotiating a deal with a vendor. He then stepped away from the booth to retrieve additional cards for a planned trading session.

Surveillance footage of the collector in Singapore

One month after the event, the victim launched an Instagram account titled “looking.for.stolenbag” to share video evidence of the incident. The footage shows a couple browsing the vendor’s display shortly after the owner left the area. The woman is described as having red hair and carrying a Doraemon-themed backpack, while the man accompanying her is also seen carrying multiple bags. As the owner returned briefly to continue his transaction, the pair allegedly waited for him to walk away again before moving the bag and walking off with it. The victim identified his property in the video by a distinctive white Totoro keychain attached to the strap.

A Singaporean collector is searching for a couple seen on video taking his bag at a card show.

The video has since garnered over 430,000 views and nearly 300 comments. Public reaction has been divided, with some social media users criticizing the owner for leaving his bag unattended in a public space, while others have expressed sympathy and support for his efforts to recover the missing items. The victim continues to appeal for information as the investigation into the incident remains ongoing.

Why it matters

The incident underscores the importance of personal security at large public hobbyist events where valuable items are frequently exchanged. It serves as a reminder to attendees to remain vigilant regarding their belongings, as even premier events can be targeted by opportunistic thieves. For the local trading card community, this case highlights the potential risks associated with the high market value of collectible items.