Two individuals from the state of Washington, Anthony Curcio and Iosif Bondarchuk, found themselves in hot water after being apprehended and accused of wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Throughout 2022 to May 2024, the duo partook in a deceitful operation involving the sale of counterfeit graded sports and Pokémon cards, resulting in a staggering accumulation of more than $2 million from unsuspecting purchasers.
The jurisdiction responsible for unveiling this illicit venture was the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, shedding light on the unlawful activities Curcio and Bondarchuk undertook. Their modus operandi entailed substituting lower-quality cards into cases and then misrepresenting them as top-tier PSA 10 specimens, driving up their market values considerably.
One of the most noteworthy items involved in this fraudulent scheme was a purported 1986 Fleer Michael Jordan rookie card, purportedly in gem mint condition, which was marketed for an exorbitant $171,000 via an online platform based in Manhattan. The charade was swiftly exposed by the platform, MySlabs, subsequently prompting them to report the matter to both PSA and law enforcement agencies. Additionally, other dishonest card sales included a 2009 Topps rookie card of basketball star Stephen Curry and a 1980 Topps card showcasing legendary players such as Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, and Julius Erving.
The duplicitous activities were not limited to sports cards, as they also extended to Pokémon cards. In one particular incident, a 1999 first-edition Venusaur card was illicitly sold to an undercover law enforcement officer in Manhattan for a sum of $10,500, being deceitfully labeled as a PSA 10 grade item.
Curcio and Bondarchuk purportedly hawked these misrepresented cards across various platforms, ranging from card shops, exhibitions, to internet auctions. In events where aggrieved buyers raised concerns about the authenticity of their purchases, Bondarchuk allegedly resorted to providing false contact details, often attributing the blame to unrelated third parties.
Both individuals, if found guilty, could potentially face a maximum prison sentence of up to 20 years. The collaborative efforts of the FBI and PSA’s Brand Protection division were critical in the investigative process, highlighting a collective dedication to safeguard collectors and maintain the credibility of the trading card industry.
This case serves as a poignant reminder of the critical necessity for vigilance in the realm of collectibles and operates as a cautionary tale for those contemplating engaging in deceptive maneuvers akin to those perpetrated by Curcio and Bondarchuk.
