A Nottinghamshire woman who defrauded a small business owner of almost £60,000 in a Pokémon trading card scam has been handed a suspended prison sentence following a private prosecution.
Lynsay Law was sentenced at Nottingham Crown Court on Friday 6 February after being found guilty of fraud for taking payments for Pokémon trading cards and collectibles that were never delivered.
The court imposed a 12-month custodial sentence, suspended for 12 months, and ordered Law to complete 120 hours of unpaid community work.
The prosecution was brought by the victim, supported by legal experts at Watson Woodhouse Solicitors, after police declined to pursue a criminal investigation.
The victim, who does not wish to be named, began buying and selling Pokémon trading cards as a hobby before building a successful small business from her home. She developed a loyal customer base through online platforms, including eBay and a Facebook group with more than 1,000 members.
In late 2020 and early 2021, when her usual distributor stopped supplying stock, she was introduced to Law, who presented herself as a supplier with access to high-demand Pokémon products.
All communication took place remotely, primarily via Facebook Messenger. The two never met face-to-face, with Law based in the Worksop area and the victim in Surrey. Despite repeated assurances, promised delivery dates passed without any stock arriving.
Days later, a single parcel was received containing goods worth less than £600, alongside several empty tins.
In total, more than £58,000 was transferred.
As a result, the victim was left facing significant financial loss, damage to her reputation, and the collapse of her business. She said the experience had “devastated her livelihood and left her struggling to rebuild both financially and professionally”.
The matter was reported to Nottinghamshire Police but in July 2021 the force wrote to the victim explaining that it would not be opening a criminal investigation. While she later pursued the issue through her bank and recovered a small portion of her losses, she said this did nothing to repair the damage to her reputation or business.
Instead, she decided to pursue a private prosecution, instructing specialist solicitors at North East law firm Watson Woodhouse after the case failed to progress through public enforcement routes — a situation increasingly faced by victims of fraud.
Figures released in 2024 show private prosecutions now account for around a quarter of all cases heard in magistrates’ courts in England and Wales, highlighting their growing role in addressing serious wrongdoing where public resources are stretched.
James Pritchard, solicitor at Watson Woodhouse, said: “This case demonstrates the vital role private prosecutions can play in ensuring access to justice. Fraud causes real and lasting harm, yet too many victims are left without accountability.
“Our client suffered profound financial and personal consequences as a result of what she was put through. We are proud to have represented her in bringing this case before the court when no other route was available.
“Many cases may initially appear to be civil disputes, where goods have been paid for but not received. What distinguishes fraud is the presence of deliberate and repeated dishonesty, deception and false representations. In this case, the court found that the conduct met the criminal threshold for fraud rather than a civil breach of contract.
“The sentence vindicates our client and sends a clear message that those who commit fraud can be held to account.”
The victim added: “I am grateful for the court’s decision. However, that does not erase the influence it has had on my life, especially the debts that remain due to this situation.
“I truly couldn’t have achieved this without James and his wonderful team at Watson Woodhouse. Their support was invaluable.”