Comicon Naples: Stolen Umbreon VMAX Pokémon Card Returned to Rightful Owner
Naples, May 1st – Comicon Naples, a highly anticipated international event in the collectibles sector, became the scene of a theft that ultimately highlighted the strong professional integrity within the community. A rare Chinese Umbreon VMAX Pokémon card, estimated to be worth around €1,300, was stolen and later returned to its legitimate owner thanks to the trust and cooperation among dealers.
The Incident at the Collectibles Booth
The theft occurred at the booth of Alessandro Migliore, owner of the Neapolitan e-commerce store San Gennaro Cards, which has been active in the sector for about a year. Exploiting a moment of distraction during the busy fair, several individuals managed to open an display case and steal the valuable collectible.
“This was our first experience at a fair,” explained Alessandro. “Unfortunately, a simple oversight in securing the display case facilitated the theft. Despite the disappointment, we immediately activated our network of contacts, reporting the card’s serial code to other booths and on social media channels.”
The Transaction
Just a few meters away, Luis (Umberto Perfetto), owner of Loop Games in L’Aquila and a veteran of the event, unknowingly became involved in the incident. Two young individuals approached his booth offering to sell the same card. Following standard procedures, Luis verified the market value of the item and, after a negotiation, purchased the card for €800, having the sellers complete the mandatory transfer form.
“We regularly engage in buying and selling with private individuals,” recounted Luis, “and the young men seemed familiar with the process. Only after completing the transaction and checking social media did we realize that the card was exactly the one stolen from our colleague Alessandro just moments before.”
The Importance of a Security Network
The situation took an unpleasant turn when Alessandro, having identified the alleged perpetrators of the theft within the exhibition center, attempted a verbal confrontation. He was met with threats and an assault. The vendor promptly chose not to escalate the conflict further, instead relying on the authorities and filing a report with the Carabinieri, providing the (later discovered to be false) information given by the individuals during the sale.
A Gesture of Professional Integrity
Despite the financial outlay for the purchase, Luis did not hesitate: once the illicit origin of the card was confirmed, he contacted Alessandro to return it completely free of charge.
“We decided to return the card because we firmly believe in solidarity among colleagues,” concluded the owner of Loop Games. “We will recover the financial loss through our daily work. Unfortunately, the professionalism of those who operate honestly must sometimes contend with such incidents, but the best response is always collaboration and a sense of community.”
The story concludes with a happy ending, emphasizing that in a rapidly expanding market like collectible cards, transparency and ethics among retailers represent the best protection for the entire sector.
Source: cronachedellacampania.it
