Two men from Washington state, Anthony Curcio and Iosif Bondarchuk, have found themselves in legal hot water after being charged with wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud in a scheme involving graded sports and Pokémon cards. These deceptive practices have allegedly swindled unsuspecting buyers out of over $2 million.
The duo’s plan unfolded between 2022 and May 2024, during which they engaged in duplicitous tactics to peddle cards with misrepresented grades. The crux of their operation involved swapping lower-grade cards into cases that deceived buyers into believing they were purchasing pristine PSA 10 specimens, thus inflating the cards’ market values considerably.
One standout item in their fraudulent lineup was a 1986 Fleer Michael Jordan rookie card that was passed off as gem mint and sold for a whopping $171,000 on an online platform in Manhattan. However, the selling platform, MySlabs, detected the fraud and promptly alerted PSA and law enforcement authorities. Additional misrepresented cards included a 2009 Topps rookie card of basketball star Stephen Curry and a 1980 Topps card featuring legends Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, and Julius Erving.
Their illicit activities did not stop at sports cards; Pokémon cards also fell victim to their scheme. For instance, a 1999 first-edition Venusaur card was sold to an undercover officer in Manhattan for $10,500, falsely labeled as a PSA 10 grade.
The accused pair reportedly attempted to sell these fraudulent cards at various locations, ranging from card shops and shows to online auctions. In instances where buyers questioned the authenticity of their purchases, Bondarchuk allegedly provided false contact information, attributing it to unrelated individuals in an attempt to mislead the disgruntled buyers.
Should Curcio and Bondarchuk be found guilty, they could face a maximum of 20 years behind bars for their fraudulent activities. The investigation into their misdeeds was a joint effort by the FBI and PSA’s Brand Protection division, showcasing the ongoing commitment to safeguard collectors and maintain the integrity of the trading card market.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the need for constant vigilance in the collectibles market. It also sends a clear warning to anyone contemplating similar deceptive practices, emphasizing the severe consequences that await those who choose to exploit unsuspecting collectors.