Cunning Crooks Accused of Selling Fake Pokémon Cards in $2M Scheme

KNOW MORE:

Crooks Accused of Selling Fake Pokémon Cards in $2M Scheme

Two men from Washington were arrested for their involvement in selling fake sports and Pokémon trading cards in a $2 million scheme over two years.

They allegedly misrepresented low-to-mid grade cards as high-grade by obtaining false ratings from a reputable authentication company. This allowed them to sell the cards at inflated prices.

• CAUGHT ON VIDEO: Thieves Steal Pokémon Cards Worth Thousands in Bold Australia Heists

Among the fraudulent cards were a 1999 Pokémon Venusaur card and a 1999 Pokémon Charizard card. An undercover officer purchased a misrepresented Venusaur card for $10,500. The pair reportedly repeatedly used fake names and identities to conceal their involvement.

One suspect had reportedly previously been convicted of pepper-spraying an armored car guard and stealing $400,000 in 2008, serving five years in prison. If convicted of the current charges of wire fraud conspiracy and wire fraud, they each face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.