Lego toy thieves are coining it

CRIMINALS across the world are pursuing a new, lucrative and almost untraceable commodity: Lego.

Sets of the brightly coloured plastic bricks can sell for thousands of pounds on online trading sites, prompting thieves to target toy shops from America to Australia.

The trend came to light this month when US police revealed back-to-back cases in New York state and Arizona worth almost $300000 (R3.1-million).

Caleb Raff, who runs the Brick Hutt Lego shop in Santa Rosa, California, said he knew of several similar thefts near his store. Raff, who earlier this year sold a single piece for $15000 (R159546) – the Platinum Avohkii Mask of Light, made especially by Lego for a competition – said criminals seemed to be getting wind of some sets' collectability.

"If you look at other makes – Kenner, Hasbro, Fisher Price, those have always been collectable. With Lego, it's a new trend and if you know what to get there's value."

A 2899-piece Statue of Liberty, released in 2000, sells for £6000 (R105943).

That rise in prices has created a lucrative online trade and black market. – The Daily Telegraph