According to an Orlando Florida news station report on August 23, 2007 koi theft has become a problem for some in the state. The problem has long existed in the UK, but now seems to have grown in popularity in the U.S.

From WFTV.com, " Detectives in Seminole County are looking into a rather bizarre case. Somebody stole an elderly woman's prized koi right out of her pond. She lost more than 20 fish, some worth thousands of dollars each. "No, I can't believe someone would steal goldfish," said the woman's friend, Henry Bishop, laughing. But they're not just any goldfish, but Japanese koi. The owner recently converted her hot tub into a pond to house her 20 fish. They were just one of a number of pets belonging to Violet Bennett. She's elderly and was too upset to be on camera, but a friend of hers did talk. "She loves the fish. She cried about 'em and she just can't believe someone would come in and take her fish," Bishop said. Over the weekend, Bishop first found the backyard door unlocked. Then, a few days later, he noticed something was missing. "There's no goldfish in there, I guarantee you," Bishop said. Not only do the fish mean a lot to the owner, they a cost a lot, too. One alone is worth $3,500. Bishop isn't sure if the koi caper was by someone fishing for money or an act of meanness against an elderly pet lover. Whatever the case, hopefully detectives will get to the bottom of it." ( http://www.wftv.com/news/13960886/detail.html).

Where would these fish be sold? Surely they won't find their way into some pawn or chop shop, but might make it into the pond supply or dealer's inventory. If reputable dealers assocatiated and acknowledged as such by the Associated Koi Clubs of America kept verifiable records on where they purchased their supply of koi from it could serve to reduce the incentive of some to steal koi, PLUS improve the health of those available. The current system of distribution for koi dealers encourages acquisition of unhealthy, untested and even illegal koi from many unreported sources.