How Forged PSA Labels Fueled a $2M Trading Card Scam: A Collector’s Guide

Collectors were stunned when prosecutors charged two Washington men with a multi-year scam built on forged PSA labels. The playbook was simple and scary: take ordinary sports or Pokémon cards, fake the PSA flip and grade, put the card in a convincing holder, then sell it like a gem. One headline sale involved a 1986 Fleer Michael Jordan rookie presented as a PSA 10 that fetched $171,700. It is a reminder that a plastic slab adds confidence, not certainty.

The case file: who, what, where

Prosecutors say the operation ran from 2022 through May 2024. The defendants, identified in filings as Anthony Curcio and Iosif Bondarchuk, allegedly moved altered slabs through card shops, shows, auctions, online marketplaces, and private deals. Investigators put the total at more than $2 million in fraudulent and attempted sales. When buyers occasionally caught on, refunds sometimes went out, then the same doctored slabs reappeared for sale to new victims.

Building the fake: flip, slab, and story

• Counterfeit flip: An altered PSA label with a better grade, spoofed barcode, and mismatched fonts or spacing.
• Convincing holder: A tamper-style case that looked the part at a glance. Minor seam stress or cloudy welds were easy to miss in the moment.
• The hook: Blue-chip cards where grade changes move mountains. Think Jordan rookies or first-edition Pokémon holos where a jump from 8 to 10 means tens or hundreds of thousands.

What buyers saw, and what they missed

• The sizzle: A top grade, a big name, and a price that felt urgent rather than cheap.
• The speed: Shows and private meetups do not always allow slow, methodical checks. A quick scan of the QR code felt “good enough.”
• The tell: Later, people noticed fonts were a hair off, microtext looked soft, or certification lookups returned a different card or label style.

The sting: a Venusaur and a notebook

Court papers describe an undercover purchase in July 2023: a 1999 Pokémon Venusaur first-edition holo sold in Manhattan for $10,500. Investigators compared the cert and label details against PSA records and authentic exemplars. That deal, along with the earlier Jordan rookie example priced at $171,700, helped outline the method and money trail.

Charges and potential penalties

The complaint lists conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud. Maximum statutory penalties are significant. As with any case, the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

Timeline recap

• 2022: Scheme begins, according to prosecutors, with altered flips and higher grades on desirable cards.
• May 2022: A Jordan rookie labeled PSA 10 sells for $171,700 in Manhattan.
• July 2023: Undercover purchase of a first-edition Venusaur holo for $10,500.
• May 2024: Arrests announced and charges filed; total fraud and attempts alleged to exceed $2 million.

Red flags you can spot

• Label oddities: Off fonts, fuzzy microtext, color mismatch, or a QR code that scans but does not match the slab in hand.
• Holder tampering: Stress lines at seams, pry marks, cloudy welds, or debris inside the case.
• Cert mismatch: PSA lookup shows a different card, grade, or label style than what you are holding.
• Too good to be true: Price and pressure to act now, with limited time for verification.

How to verify before you buy

1. Run the cert: Use PSA’s cert lookup to confirm set, player, grade, and flip style. If anything is off, pause and dig deeper.
2. Compare the flip: Find a known-genuine slab from the same era and examine fonts, spacing, PSA logo, and QR code alignment.
3. Check pops and comps: Population reports and recent sales should align with the grade story you are being told.
4. Buy with protection: Favor platforms and dealers that provide buyer coverage, returns, and item history.
5. When in doubt: Contact PSA Brand Protection with clear photos of the slab, flip, and cert number.

New to grading? Start with our beginner grading guide. Need gear first? See tools every collector should own. Love hobby history? Explore 1952 Topps lore.

If you suspect a fake

• Document everything: photos, listing, messages, and payment proof.
• Report to the marketplace and to the grading company.
• Open a dispute with your payment provider if needed.
• Consider contacting local law enforcement or the relevant U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Bottom line

The case is a wake-up call. Slabs help, but they are not foolproof. Verify certifications, inspect flips and holders carefully, and buy from channels that stand behind the transaction. Smart habits will save you money and headaches.

FAQ: Spotting fake PSA slabs

How do I check if a PSA slab is real?
Use PSA’s cert lookup to confirm set, player, grade, and flip style. Compare fonts and QR code to a known-genuine label from the same era.

What are the biggest red flags?
Off fonts or colors on the flip, fuzzy microtext, pry marks along holder seams, and a cert lookup that returns a different card or grade.

Can I rely on the plastic case alone?
No. Slabs add confidence, not certainty. Always verify the cert and examine the flip and holder closely before you buy.

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Sources and further reading

• U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of New York - arrests and charges (May 2024)
• Sports Collectors Daily - case details and hobby context
• CLLCT - summary of the indictment and method

Legal note: the charges described above are allegations. Defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.