Washington state federal authorities have charged Anthony Curcio (43) and Iosif Bondarchuk (37) in a wide-ranging scheme to sell counterfeit and deceptively graded Pokémon and sports trading cards.
According to reporting from Fox News Seattle and court filings, the pair allegedly manipulated Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA) grading indicators and sold the altered cards to pawn shops and private collectors, generating roughly $2 million in proceeds.
How the scheme operated
Investigators say Curcio and Bondarchuk duplicated the tamper-evident card stock and labeling used by PSA to convey high grades, then affixed those materials to ordinary cards to inflate their market value.
The scheme reportedly ran for about two years, and at times the defendants refunded buyers when confronted, only to adjust the presentation and attempt to resell the same items later.
A high-profile trigger for the investigation was the sale of a 1986 Fleer Michael Jordan rookie card that brought $171,700 at a Manhattan auction with a purported PSA grade of 10.
PSA notified the auction house that it had not graded that card, prompting further scrutiny from federal agents.
Charges and legal exposure
Federal prosecutors have charged both men with conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
Each defendant faces potential penalties that can include up to 20 years imprisonment if convicted.
The charge explicitly alleges coordinated efforts to deceive buyers about the authenticity and condition of collectible cards by falsifying PSA grading indicators.
Context for collectors and the broader Pokémon brand
The Pokémon Trading Card Game remains an influential cultural and commercial property tied to the broader Pokémon franchise, which spans video games on platforms such as Nintendo Switch and media announcements delivered through venues like Nintendo Direct.
While this case concerns physical collectibles, the cross-media strength of Pokémon and other licensed properties contributes to strong collector demand across channels, from in-person auctions to online marketplaces.
Reporting and background
Fox News Seattle has provided a concise breakdown of the allegations and the timeline of events.
Court documents and PSA communications reportedly played a central role in unraveling the scheme.
Curcio also has a prior criminal history: he served time following a 2008 bank robbery and related assault charges, a fact noted in public records cited in reporting.
This case highlights the role of third-party grading services such as PSA in the collectibles market and the legal risks faced by individuals accused of undermining those authentication systems.
As the federal case progresses, prosecutors will present evidence documented in filings and auction records to support the charges.
According to reporting from Fox News Seattle and court filings, the pair allegedly manipulated Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA) grading indicators and sold the altered cards to pawn shops and private collectors, generating roughly $2 million in proceeds.
How the scheme operated
Investigators say Curcio and Bondarchuk duplicated the tamper-evident card stock and labeling used by PSA to convey high grades, then affixed those materials to ordinary cards to inflate their market value.
The scheme reportedly ran for about two years, and at times the defendants refunded buyers when confronted, only to adjust the presentation and attempt to resell the same items later.
A high-profile trigger for the investigation was the sale of a 1986 Fleer Michael Jordan rookie card that brought $171,700 at a Manhattan auction with a purported PSA grade of 10.
PSA notified the auction house that it had not graded that card, prompting further scrutiny from federal agents.
Charges and legal exposure
Federal prosecutors have charged both men with conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
Each defendant faces potential penalties that can include up to 20 years imprisonment if convicted.
The charge explicitly alleges coordinated efforts to deceive buyers about the authenticity and condition of collectible cards by falsifying PSA grading indicators.
Context for collectors and the broader Pokémon brand
The Pokémon Trading Card Game remains an influential cultural and commercial property tied to the broader Pokémon franchise, which spans video games on platforms such as Nintendo Switch and media announcements delivered through venues like Nintendo Direct.
While this case concerns physical collectibles, the cross-media strength of Pokémon and other licensed properties contributes to strong collector demand across channels, from in-person auctions to online marketplaces.
Reporting and background
Fox News Seattle has provided a concise breakdown of the allegations and the timeline of events.
Court documents and PSA communications reportedly played a central role in unraveling the scheme.
Curcio also has a prior criminal history: he served time following a 2008 bank robbery and related assault charges, a fact noted in public records cited in reporting.
This case highlights the role of third-party grading services such as PSA in the collectibles market and the legal risks faced by individuals accused of undermining those authentication systems.
As the federal case progresses, prosecutors will present evidence documented in filings and auction records to support the charges.
