Two men from Washington state, Anthony Curcio, 43, of Redmond, and Iosif Bondarchuk, 37, of Lake Stevens, recently made headlines for all the wrong reasons – their involvement in a $2 million card fraud scheme that has shocked collectors and enthusiasts alike. Charged with wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud, Curcio and Bondarchuk found themselves in hot water for engaging in deceptive practices that involved selling fraudulently graded sports and Pokémon cards, including the notorious Michael Jordan rookie card.
The elaborate scheme unfolded between 2022 and May 2024 when the duo allegedly resorted to swapping lower-grade cards into cases, misrepresenting them as higher-grade PSA 10 specimens. Their actions led to a significant inflation in the market values of these cards, duping unsuspecting buyers in the process. One of the standout pieces in their fraudulent collection was a 1986 Fleer Michael Jordan rookie card, touted as gem mint and fetched a whopping $171,000 on an online platform in Manhattan. The truth about the card came to light when the selling platform, MySlabs, flagged it as fraudulent, sparking investigations by PSA and law enforcement agencies.
The deceit didn’t stop at sports cards; Pokémon cards also became part of their fraudulent repertoire. The sale of a 1999 first-edition Venusaur card, falsely labeled as PSA 10, to an undercover law enforcement officer in Manhattan for $10,500 exposed the extent of their fraudulent activities, casting a shadow over the trust within the collector community.
Curcio and Bondarchuk left no stone unturned in their quest to offload their fake treasures, attempting sales at card shops, shows, and online auctions. To cover their tracks, Bondarchuk allegedly went to great lengths, providing false contact information to dissatisfied buyers, attributing it to fabricated individuals in a bid to deflect suspicion.
As the legal noose tightens around them, the prospect of up to 20 years in prison looms large for both offenders. The FBI and PSA’s Brand Protection division worked in tandem during the investigation, shedding light on the collaborative efforts to safeguard collectors and maintain the authenticity of the trading card market. This case serves as a stark reminder of the need for constant vigilance in the collectibles market and sends a clear warning to those contemplating engaging in similar fraudulent practices.
