Two Washington state men find themselves in legal hot water after being accused of running a fraudulent scheme involving graded sports and Pokémon cards. Anthony Curcio, 43, from Redmond, and Iosif Bondarchuk, 37, from Lake Stevens, have been arrested and charged with wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud. The charges are linked to their alleged involvement in a deceptive plot that raked in over $2 million from unsuspecting buyers.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York revealed that between 2022 and May 2024, Curcio and Bondarchuk devised dishonest tactics to sell these cards. Their modus operandi reportedly involved swapping lower-grade cards into cases falsely labeled as higher-grade PSA 10 specimens, significantly boosting their market prices.
Notable among the items sold was a 1986 Fleer Michael Jordan rookie card, masqueraded as gem mint and sold for $171,000 on an online platform in Manhattan. The card’s authenticity was later questioned by the selling platform, MySlabs, prompting them to alert both PSA and law enforcement. Additionally, other misrepresented cards included a 2009 Topps Stephen Curry rookie card and a 1980 Topps card featuring Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, and Julius Erving.
The fraudulent activities extended beyond sports cards to encompass Pokémon cards as well. In a particular instance, a 1999 first-edition Venusaur card, falsely identified as PSA 10, was sold to an undercover law enforcement officer in Manhattan for $10,500.
Curcio and Bondarchuk are accused of peddling or attempting to peddle these cards at various platforms, such as card shops, shows, and online auctions. Allegedly, when buyers questioned the authenticity of their purchases, Bondarchuk allegedly deceived them by providing inaccurate contact information, attributing it to unrelated individuals.
In the event of a conviction, both men could face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. The FBI and PSA’s Brand Protection division worked hand in hand during the investigation, showcasing ongoing efforts to shield collectors and uphold the integrity of the trading card market.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the necessity for vigilance within the collectibles market and sends a clear message to those contemplating engaging in similar deceitful practices.
