Two men from the state of Washington find themselves in hot water after being accused of orchestrating a sophisticated scheme involving fraudulent graded sports and Pokémon cards. Anthony Curcio, aged 43 and hailing from Redmond, and Iosif Bondarchuk, aged 37 from Lake Stevens, were recently arrested and charged with wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud. These charges are a result of their alleged involvement in a meticulously planned operation that duped unsuspecting buyers, pocketing over $2 million in the process.
The indictment revealed that between 2022 and May 2024, Curcio and Bondarchuk were deeply entrenched in a deceptive ruse to peddle fake graded cards. The duo purportedly engaged in swapping lower-grade cards into cases falsely representing them as superior PSA 10 specimens. This misleading tactic served to inflate the market values of the cards significantly, hoodwinking buyers in the process.
One of the most noteworthy items that fell victim to this scam was a 1986 Fleer Michael Jordan rookie card. This iconic piece was deceitfully marketed as gem mint and fetched a staggering $171,000 through an online platform in Manhattan. However, the card was later unmasked as a counterfeit by the platform MySlabs, leading to the exposure of the fraudulent scheme. Additionally, other misrepresented cards included a 2009 Topps rookie card of NBA star Stephen Curry and a 1980 Topps card showcasing legends like Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, and Julius Erving.
The fraudulent activities did not stop at sports cards; the scheme also encompassed Pokémon cards. For instance, a 1999 first-edition Venusaur card was illicitly sold to an undercover law enforcement officer in Manhattan for $10,500, falsely labeled as PSA 10. This showcases the breadth of the deception orchestrated by Curcio and Bondarchuk.
The nefarious duo sought to offload these cards through various avenues, including card shops, shows, and online auctions. To further obfuscate their trail, Bondarchuk allegedly resorted to providing inaccurate contact details to aggrieved buyers, attributing them to unrelated individuals. These actions only compounded the confusion and frustration experienced by the victims caught in the web of deceit.
Should the men be found guilty, they could face a sentence of up to 20 years behind bars. The collaboration between the FBI and PSA’s Brand Protection division was instrumental in uncovering the extent of the fraud, showcasing joint efforts to safeguard collectors and preserve the integrity of the trading card market.
This high-profile case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of diligence and skepticism in the collectibles market. It also stands as a cautionary tale for individuals who might contemplate engaging in similar deceptive practices. The repercussions from such fraudulent activities reverberate throughout the community and underscore the necessity for unwavering vigilance to ensure the authenticity and value of collectible items.