Two men from Washington state, Anthony Curcio and Iosif Bondarchuk, found themselves in hot water as they were arrested and charged with wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud. This was due to their involvement in a scheming operation relating to the fraudulent sale of graded sports and Pokémon trading cards, amassing over $2 million from unsuspecting buyers in the process.
The mischievous duo, operating from 2022 to May 2024, allegedly conducted shady dealings which involved swapping lower-grade cards into cases, falsely labeling them as higher-grade PSA 10 cards. This deceitful act led to a significant inflation of the market value of these misrepresented cards, with a notable gem being a 1986 Fleer Michael Jordan rookie card.
The infamous card in question was sold for an eye-watering $171,000 on an online marketplace in Manhattan, only to be revealed as a counterfeit by the platform MySlabs. The seller was quick to report this faux pas to PSA and law enforcement. Other cards falsely peddled include a 2009 Topps rookie card of basketball superstar Stephen Curry and a 1980 Topps card featuring Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, and Julius Erving.
Not content with defrauding collectors of sports memorabilia alone, Curcio and Bondarchuk delved into the realm of Pokémon cards, showcasing their range in the art of deception. In a particular incident, a 1999 first-edition Venusaur card, purportedly a PSA 10, was sold for $10,500 to an undercover officer in Manhattan.
Their sales tactics knew no bounds, as the accused attempted to offload these misrepresented cards at various venues like card shops, shows, and online auctions. Furthermore, Bondarchuk allegedly resorted to misleading dissatisfied buyers by providing false contact information, alluding to unsuspecting third parties.
In a twist that can only be described as poetic justice, if convicted, the pair may find themselves spending up to 20 years in prison for their misdeeds. Collaborative efforts between the FBI and PSA’s Brand Protection division were instrumental in uncovering this fraudulent operation, reaffirming the commitment to safeguarding collectors and maintaining the honor of the trading card market.
This cautionary tale sheds light on the necessity of vigilance within the realm of collectibles, serving as a stark warning to any potential wrongdoers contemplating similar treacherous actions in the future. A reminder that in the world of collectibles, honesty remains the best policy.
