Fortnite’s ultra-rare Pirate Shop Token chase has kicked off a fresh burst of profiteering, with players already posting eBay listings and chasing quick gains. Update: this piece now includes a statement from Epic.

The game’s new One Piece crossover has players scrambling for a scarce Pirate Shop Token, which grants free access to much of the item shop. Those fortunate enough to secure it can claim nearly everything available at no cost for two weeks, though real-money purchases, gifting, and Battle Pass rewards are excluded. Anything claimed stays on the account forever.

Still, as expected, some players are taking actions that Epic would likely rather avoid. People are sharing shortcuts, selling automation tools to farm the token, and even offering guided help to others for payment in hopes of getting ahead.

No official drop rate has been confirmed, but estimates suggest the token appears in roughly one out of every 700,000 chests. In other words, it is extremely uncommon. Players have already found methods to speed up the hunt, including using grenades and cannonballs to break chests inside sealed vaults, letting them open many at once without needing a key.

One player posted a screenshot showing an overlay that reveals chest locations during a match, while also advertising token assistance for a fee. Clearly, that is not normal gameplay.

I can help people get pirate access tokens easily for cash; I've already assisted 3 people, so message me if you're interested https://t.co/tbaS8RvLqm

On top of that, several eBay accounts are trying to profit from the craze by listing Fortnite accounts that include access to the Pirate Shop for thousands of dollars. At the moment, the listings have no bids — one is asking for $9,000 and accepting offers, while another wants $10,000 or the nearest offer — but that could change prior to the season concluding on December 4.

Epic’s terms of service clearly forbid buying and selling Fortnite accounts, along with cheating or exploiting, so anyone trying to cash in may face an account ban. If that happens, access to the account could be lost entirely, and the same risk can affect buyers too. The original owner could also contact support and report the account as stolen. Put simply, it is unwise to spend $10,000 on virtual cosmetic items.

“Purchasing an account or relying on fraudulent tools is a scam,” Epic said in a statement. “This is similar to the chests found in Battle Royale, giving every player an equal chance to discover Pirate Shop Access.”

If you want to unlock the Pirate Shop and earn free items the right way, there is a complete guide available, along with a full rundown of the Treasure Hunters mini-season. You can also follow the weekly rewards that appear at random from treasure chests, and use a simple checklist to keep track of all pirate-themed Sprites.

Image credit: @snowslept on X.

Kirk McKeand contributes to IGN News as a writer. Find him on Twitter @MckKirk