Two men hailing from Washington state, Anthony Curcio and Iosif Bondarchuk, have found themselves in hot water after being arrested and charged with wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Their alleged crime? A scheme involving the sale of fraudulently graded sports and Pokémon cards that raked in over $2 million from unsuspecting buyers.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, between the years 2022 and May 2024, Curcio and Bondarchuk purportedly engaged in deceptive tactics to peddle these counterfeit cards. The duo is accused of subbing in lower-grade cards into cases, misrepresenting them as higher-grade PSA 10 specimens, thus significantly boosting their market values.
One of the most noteworthy items in their fake card repertoire was a 1986 Fleer Michael Jordan rookie card. This particular card, falsely touted as gem mint, was sold for a hefty $171,000 through an online marketplace in Manhattan. The fraudulent nature of the card came to light when the selling platform, MySlabs, raised the alarm, prompting a report to PSA and law enforcement. Other misrepresented cards included a 2009 Topps rookie card of Stephen Curry and a 1980 Topps card featuring basketball legends Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, and Julius Erving.
The fraudulent activities didn’t stop at sports cards but extended to Pokémon cards as well. For instance, a 1999 first-edition Venusaur card was snagged by an undercover law enforcement officer in Manhattan for $10,500, masquerading as a pristine PSA 10 card.
Curcio and Bondarchuk are accused of offloading or attempting to offload these dubious cards through various channels, such as card shops, shows, and online auctions. In instances where disgruntled buyers raised concerns about the legitimacy of their purchases, Bondarchuk allegedly threw them off the scent by furnishing fake contact details, pinning them on unconnected individuals.
If found guilty, the two men could face a maximum of 20 years behind bars. The FBI and PSA’s Brand Protection division worked hand in hand during the investigation, emphasizing their joint commitment to safeguarding collectors and upholding the integrity of the trading card market.
This case stands as a stark reminder of the imperative need for vigilance in the collectibles market and serves as a cautionary tale for those contemplating partaking in similar duplicitous activities.
