Running list of 2022 Hobby Scams

[swarmee]

9 scandals already in only three weeks. Two multi-million dollar losses! Solid pace.

Jan:
1) BBCE Authenticated Case of 1st Edition Pokemon sold for $3.5M revealed full of G.I.Joe packs.
https://www.blowoutforums.com/showthread.php?t=1500649

2) Group Breaker backyardbreaks gives away free box to customer, pulls $20K Trevor Lawrence card, doesn't deliver.
https://www.blowoutforums.com/showthread.php?t=1502441

3) Marx cards stiffs PSA on ~$1M bulk submission, files bankruptcy, strands customers. Card Collector 2 implicated for sending through 2nd bulk submitter without disclosure. PSA looks to be returning cards ungraded. Gems Only also seems to be another middleman who can't pay.
https://www.blowoutforums.com/showthread.php?t=1503473

4) Merchantman cards still selling vintage fakes through various online auction houses.
https://www.net54baseball.com/showthread.php?t=295520
5) Steve Grad says that many Panini Messi autos are counterfeit, but his employer BGS still grades them.
https://www.blowoutforums.com/showthread.php?t=1502876

6) Carryover from 2021, hacked eBay accounts are posting hundreds of cards for sale at auction requesting you message them to BIN, but it's a scam. Whack-a-mole with these guys, since eBay deletes one account and another pops up in days.
https://www.blowoutforums.com/showthread.php?t=1502167

7) Counterfeit slabs being passed at card shows in FL, NV, PA, TX. Suspects arrested in Dallas; one tased for trying to escape. Las Vegas Card Show, Industry Summit, Dallas, Bay Area Card Show Clearwater FL, Philly. Note: Latest news is that the Mike Baker sleeved Jordans are real and were graded by Baker in Dallas.
https://www.blowoutforums.com/showthread.php?t=1502835
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsYXDVQA2eA

8) PWCC had a Premier auction end 1/22 and seconds before it closed, couldn't handle the traffic. Rather than extending the closing time an hour or so for people to get their last bids in, they extended for an entire day. This has been happening to a lot of online auction houses the past couple of years, getting hit by DDOS (Distributed Denial of Service) hacks or just unable to even handle the traffic at the end of an auction. Goldin got hit by so many the last two years under their previous auction software subcontractor that they created their own new site, going through growing pains.
https://www.blowoutforums.com/showthread.php?t=1503966

9) Goldin Auctions selling a 2001 PSA 10 Albert Pujols chrome rookie auto. Very likely to be wiped off and re-signed. Should be graded as a PSA AUTH card with PSA 10 auto, IMO. Currently at $97K with two weeks to go.
https://www.blowoutforums.com/showthread.php?t=1502551
Update: PSA reviewed the card and gave it a PSA 10 with 10 auto.

[Johnny630]

Just the beginning

[conor912]

Rough start to the year, for sure. Card grading has become to the hobby what social media has to the world.....a few redeeming qualities, but overall a net negative.

[mrreality68]

Originally Posted by conor912

Rough start to the year, for sure. Card grading has become to the hobby what social media has to the world.....a few redeeming qualities, but overall a net negative.

+1 agreed and as said early more to come

[Tyruscobb]

Does anyone know the Marx Cards backstory? Where did all the money go? If you receive $1M to submit cards on others’ behalf, how hard is it to earmark the funds and place them into a separate account?

Heck - all Marx Cards had to do was place the $1M into an interest-bearing account and leave it alone, until it was time to pay PSA, and it would’ve made free money off other people’s grading fee money. A 1% interest account would’ve netted Marx Cards $10,000.00 in free interest money.

[Johnny630]

Originally Posted by Tyruscobb

Does anyone know the Marx Cards backstory? Where did all the money go? If you receive $1M to submit cards on others’ behalf, how hard is it to earmark the funds and place them into a separate account?

Heck - all Marx Cards had to do was place the $1M into an interest-bearing account and leave it alone, until it was time to pay PSA, and it would’ve made free money off other people’s grading fee money. A 1% interest account would’ve netted Marx Cards $10,000.00 in free interest money.

That would have been the smart prudent move for sure.

What he prob did was like like a king for a year off his submitters money, kinda like a pyramid scheme, he was on top. So sad I feel terrible for the victims of his con job.

[Eric72]

Considering the influx of hobby newcomers over the past 18 months, it's not surprising to see the amount of scandals on the rise.

Seven in three weeks is a breakneck pace, though. Even the most paranoid among us were probably caught a bit off guard by the frequency with which these news stories are breaking.

I wonder if the new 1099 reporting rules were a factor, even if only indirectly. The timing is certainly uncanny.

[swarmee]

Originally Posted by Eric72

I wonder if the new 1099 reporting rules were a factor, even if only indirectly. The timing is certainly uncanny.

Nah, but next January when the 1099s show up will be very interesting... and I'm interested in seeing which of the main consignment firms start requiring KYC and 1099s for their auction houses. The entire industry has been set up to hide funds for years.

[swarmee]

Originally Posted by Tyruscobb

Does anyone know the Marx Cards backstory? Where did all the money go?

Rumors so far is that they were opening up their own card shop and plowed funds into that. Another rumor is that they were overinvested in PSA base cards which are now dropping like rocks. Another rumor is that they invested in cryptocurrency at the peak, and it's now down about 40%.
I'll keep following it. I expect both criminal and civil liability due to the lack of escrow while operating in the capacity of a financial managers, and the lawsuits from submitters trying to get their funds back in bankruptcy court. (ed note: I am not a lawyer, so this is only my personal untrained thought.)

[Eric72]

Originally Posted by swarmee

Rumors so far is that they were opening up their own card shop and plowed funds into that. Another rumor is that they were overinvested in PSA base cards which are now dropping like rocks. Another rumor is that they invested in cryptocurrency at the peak, and it's now down about 40%.
I'll keep following it. I expect both criminal and civil liability due to the lack of escrow while operating in the capacity of a financial managers, and the lawsuits from submitters trying to get their funds back in bankruptcy court. (ed note: I am not a lawyer, so this is only my personal untrained thought.)

I wonder if this could this be a class action lawsuit waiting to happen.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by Eric72

I wonder if this could this be a class action lawsuit waiting to happen.

If I were a victim and had lost any substantial amount of money I would bring an individual claim. But seriously these dudes are probably judgment proof.

These group subs with their year delay are really fraught with peril.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by swarmee

Tracking it over at Blowout. 7 major scandals already in only three weeks. Two multi-million dollar losses! Solid pace.

https://www.blowoutforums.com/showthread.php?p=17942920

Taking the liberty of reproducing the links so people don't have to do this twice if they are interested.

1) BBCE Authenticated Case of 1st Edition Pokemon sold for $3.5M revealed full of G.I.Joe packs.
https://www.blowoutforums.com/showthread.php?t=1500649

2) Group Breaker backyardbreaks gives away free box to customer, pulls $20K Trevor Lawrence card, doesn't deliver.
https://www.blowoutforums.com/showthread.php?t=1502441

3) Marx cards stiffs PSA on ~$1M bulk submission, files bankruptcy, strands customers. Card Collector 2 implicated for sending through 2nd bulk submitter without disclosure. PSA looks to be returning cards ungraded.
https://www.blowoutforums.com/showthread.php?t=1503473

4) Merchantman cards still selling vintage fakes through various online auction houses.
https://www.net54baseball.com/showthread.php?t=295520
5) Steve Grad says that many Panini Messi autos are counterfeit, but his employer BGS still grades them.
https://www.blowoutforums.com/showthread.php?t=1502876

6) Carryover from 2021, hacked eBay accounts are posting hundreds of cards for sale at auction requesting you message them to BIN, but it's a scam. Whack-a-mole with these guys, since eBay deletes one account and another pops up in days.
https://www.blowoutforums.com/showthread.php?t=1502167

7) Counterfeit slabs and Mike Baker RCR Jordan RCs being passed at card shows in FL, VA, TX. Suspects arrested in Dallas; one tased for trying to escape.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LrCIIsbYpGU

[swarmee]

PWCC had a Premier auction ending tonight. With 1 second to go in the auction, they extended it another day and are still accepting bids.

Knew it wouldn't long before they made the list.

https://www.blowoutforums.com/showthread.php?t=1503966

Follow along live: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0A8_befZrI

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

7) Counterfeit slabs and Mike Baker RCR Jordan RCs being passed at card shows in FL, VA, TX. Suspects arrested in Dallas; one tased for trying to escape.

As it turns out Mike Baker's RCR Jordan's were legit, though it is quite possible they were the cards that were removed from slabs to make room for the counterfeits.

[Gorditadogg]

Originally Posted by swarmee

Rumors so far is that they were opening up their own card shop and plowed funds into that. Another rumor is that they were overinvested in PSA base cards which are now dropping like rocks. Another rumor is that they invested in cryptocurrency at the peak, and it's now down about 40%.

I'll keep following it. I expect both criminal and civil liability due to the lack of escrow while operating in the capacity of a financial managers, and the lawsuits from submitters trying to get their funds back in bankruptcy court. (ed note: I am not a lawyer, so this is only my personal untrained thought.)

Don't worry we have plenty of lawyers on here they will correct you.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

[swarmee]

Originally Posted by Aquarian Sports Cards

As it turns out Mike Baker's RCR Jordan's were legit, though it is quite possible they were the cards that were removed from slabs to make room for the counterfeits.

Do you have a link or source. Initial reports were that Mike never sealed them in his cases, and the stickers themselves were counterfeit.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by Gorditadogg

Don't worry we have plenty of lawyers on here they will correct you.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

Much will depend on the status of the cards themselves and if PSA is willing and able to get them back to the original submitters, hopefully graded. Marx must at least have records (one would hope) of who gave it what. If not, and the submitters are out their money which Marx collected then they have claims against Marx, but who knows if Marx has any assets that will be available in its bankruptcy proceeding. If it lost all its money on crypto....

[BobC]

Originally Posted by swarmee

Rumors so far is that they were opening up their own card shop and plowed funds into that. Another rumor is that they were overinvested in PSA base cards which are now dropping like rocks. Another rumor is that they invested in cryptocurrency at the peak, and it's now down about 40%.
I'll keep following it. I expect both criminal and civil liability due to the lack of escrow while operating in the capacity of a financial managers, and the lawsuits from submitters trying to get their funds back in bankruptcy court. (ed note: I am not a lawyer, so this is only my personal untrained thought.)

Regarding Marx Cards, all of these could have played a factor in what happened, and then resulted in not so much a failure of a pyramid scheme, but more like the failure of a kiting scheme.

Pure guess on my part, but can see the aforementioned various factors putting a pinch on cash profit from operations, so they dip into funds being held to actually pay the grading fees, and figure they'll get caught up in the future. They don't worry about it when it comes time to actually pay grading fees to PSA in the interim as they become due because they expect to keep getting more continuing orders and grading fee deposits in. Well, then along comes the pandemic and all the PSA issues where they basically shut down new submissions for a while, and significantly jack up up the grading fees. So as a result, the continuous ongoing new submissions ends up taking a big hit, and with it, the influx of grading fee deposits they need to keep covering all the bills coming into Marx Cards, including the grading fee bills from PSA. Think about the timing of when all of this has been happening, and how PSA is finally starting to get caught up and billing people for those grading fees. Chances are Marx may have started doing the math and realized they weren't getting enough new deposits coming in to get them over the hump, realized all these PSA grading fee bills would soon be rolling in, and played the bankruptcy card now to try and get out of this.

Not sure on the legal side if the people can come back at them. Don't know exactly how the contracts people entered into with Marx Cards (assuming there is some written document or agreement) are written and what they may say. I'll leave that to the attorneys on here if they want to weigh in. Wouldn't be completely shocked if the Marx Cards people end up not being personally liable, assuming the company was set up in an appropriate corporate or LLC form, which can then afford the owners protection from personal liability from company debts.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by BobC

Regarding Marx Cards, all of these could have played a factor in what happened, and then resulted in not so much a failure of a pyramid scheme, but more like the failure of a kiting scheme.

Pure guess on my part, but can see the aforementioned various factors putting a pinch on cash profit from operations, so they dip into funds being held to actually pay the grading fees, and figure they'll get caught up in the future. They don't worry about it when it comes time to actually pay grading fees to PSA in the interim as they become due because they expect to keep getting more continuing orders and grading fee deposits in. Well, then along comes the pandemic and all the PSA issues where they basically shut down new submissions for a while, and significantly jack up up the grading fees. So as a result, the continuous ongoing new submissions ends up taking a big hit, and with it, the influx of grading fee deposits they need to keep covering all the bills coming into Marx Cards, including the grading fee bills from PSA. Think about the timing of when all of this has been happening, and how PSA is finally starting to get caught up and billing people for those grading fees. Chances are Marx may have started doing the math and realized they weren't getting enough new deposits coming in to get them over the hump, realized all these PSA grading fee bills would soon be rolling in, and played the bankruptcy card now to try and get out of this.

Not sure on the legal side if the people can come back at them. Don't know exactly how the contracts people entered into with Marx Cards (assuming there is some written document or agreement) are written and what they may say. I'll leave that to the attorneys on here if they want to weigh in. Wouldn't be completely shocked if the Marx Cards people end up not.being personally liable, assuming the company was set up in an appropriate corporate or LLC form, which can then afford the owners protection from personal liability from company debts.

It's a guy and his brother. If they ran it into the ground knowingly stealing people's money (if indeed it really is a corporation and not a DBA), I would think you could get at them individually, but they may be judgment proof.

[egri]

This thread reminded me of the fake signed T206 scandal from a few years ago. Has anyone heard anything about that lately?

[Lorewalker]

Originally Posted by swarmee

PWCC had a Premier auction ending tonight. With 1 second to go in the auction, they extended it another day and are still accepting bids.

Knew it wouldn't long before they made the list.

https://www.blowoutforums.com/showthread.php?t=1503966

Follow along live: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0A8_befZrI

We can count on PWCC always being a hair away from a scandal. Nice list you put together, by the way.

Count me in as one, however, who feels the only scam associated with the Pokemon case was the stunt that Logan Paul played on the general public. I will never be convinced he did not know the case was bad before he claims to have paid 3.5 for it. Not exonerating Hart for his part in authenticating it but I don't think any real money was ever at risk here.

[Tyruscobb]

Originally Posted by BobC

Regarding Marx Cards, all of these could have played a factor in what happened, and then resulted in not so much a failure of a pyramid scheme, but more like the failure of a kiting scheme.

Pure guess on my part, but can see the aforementioned various factors putting a pinch on cash profit from operations, so they dip into funds being held to actually pay the grading fees, and figure they'll get caught up in the future. They don't worry about it when it comes time to actually pay grading fees to PSA in the interim as they become due because they expect to keep getting more continuing orders and grading fee deposits in. Well, then along comes the pandemic and all the PSA issues where they basically shut down new submissions for a while, and significantly jack up up the grading fees. So as a result, the continuous ongoing new submissions ends up taking a big hit, and with it, the influx of grading fee deposits they need to keep covering all the bills coming into Marx Cards, including the grading fee bills from PSA. Think about the timing of when all of this has been happening, and how PSA is finally starting to get caught up and billing people for those grading fees. Chances are Marx may have started doing the math and realized they weren't getting enough new deposits coming in to get them over the hump, realized all these PSA grading fee bills would soon be rolling in, and played the bankruptcy card now to try and get out of this.

Not sure on the legal side if the people can come back at them. Don't know exactly how the contracts people entered into with Marx Cards (assuming there is some written document or agreement) are written and what they may say. I'll leave that to the attorneys on here if they want to weigh in. Wouldn't be completely shocked if the Marx Cards people end up not.being personally liable, assuming the company was set up in an appropriate corporate or LLC form, which can then afford the owners protection from personal liability from company debts.

Sound like a grading Ponzi scheme potentially occurred.

[BobC]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

It's a guy and his brother. If they ran it into the ground knowingly stealing people's money (if indeed it really is a corporation and not a DBA), I would think you could get at them individually, but they may be judgment proof.

Hey Peter,

Like I said, I know nothing about them, so it would be a pure guess on my part if they can be held personally liable or not. Also no idea what other expenses, payroll, and so on they may have. My thought is that a huge drop in card submissions may have caught them and been the trigger to the bankruptcy filing now. Like you said, if it can be shown they intentionally ran it into the ground and stole the money, that's one thing. If they tried and it didn't succeed due to some bad moves or business decisions, that is something different, and they may be able to walk away. Still, bad for the hobby and the people getting screwed.

You know, these people had been waiting a long time to get these cards graded. So if PSA just returns them, they're not only out the grading fees, but assuming they still need/want to get these cards graded, now they'll have to maybe resubmit the cards again and wait even longer. You know, if anyone over at the new PSA had half a brain, they could try to make this a positive PR move on their part by cutting these people some slack, and go ahead and maybe still grade cards for those that want that to happen, without making them resubmit and have to wait even longer. And maybe cut them a break and at least give them a half-way decent discount on the grading fees to possibly make up a little bit for what these people stand to lose that they originally paid to Marx Cards. They've got their fees artificially raised to lower submissions, so they wouldn't be losing money by giving these people a break on the fees. And as I said, it could be good PR for PSA.

[Peter_Spaeth]

They had $1 million apparently they had collected and knew they owed to a third-party, namely PSA. I can’t imagine there’s any excuse they acted in good faith in losing that money. It wasn’t their money to spend at that point.

[BobC]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

They had $1 million apparently they had collected and knew they owed to a third-party, namely PSA. I can’t imagine there’s any excuse they acted in good faith in losing that money. It wasn’t their money to spend at that point.

I agree, on the surface it seems it may have been intentional, we just don't know what else may have been involved, and what assets, if any, are still in the company. I was giving them the benefit of the doubt, and assuming they were trying to run a fairly legit, ongoing company. And thus why I suspected it may have been more of a kiting scheme till things got.better, as opposed to an all out ponzi scheme, where they were in it from day one for a cash grab. I guess we'll find out as more details come out going forward.

[Michael B]

Marx Cards Inc. appears to be a corporation. I checked PACER, the federal court database and they have not filed for bankruptcy protection under that name. The federal docketing is pretty quick. If they do file it would be there within a day or two. I use it every day for work so it was simple to check. If someone posts the full names of the owners I can also check those.

[toledo_mudhen]

Thank God for Lawyers! (lots and lots of em)

[swarmee]

Originally Posted by Michael B

Marx Cards Inc. appears to be a corporation. I checked PACER, the federal court database and they have not filed for bankruptcy protection under that name.

PSA's statement was the one that said Marx had filed bankruptcy. I'm sure they had that vetted through lawyers before sending it out.
"No, the baseball player wearing the No. 5 jersey has a much deeper meaning for the shop’s owner, Michael Minjares, a 36-year-old Oxnard resident who is part of the fast-growing world of sports memorabilia."
"Marx Cards is a family affair. Minjares’ wife, Tiffany, and another brother, Kevin Minjares, 28, both play starring roles in the operation. That’s not to mention four cousins who also work in the shop."
https://www.thecamarilloacorn.com/ar...family-affair/
Former CFO was Dennis Porto. According to his LinkedIn, he started his own company the same time (Nov '21) that Marx was going south.
https://businesssearch.sos.ca.gov/Do...39966-29410641

[skelly423]

Not to diminish what has happened, but hasn't scandal been part of the hobby since the hobby started. Shill bidding has been around as long as there have been auctions, same with forged autographs, trimmed cards, and shady dealers. Grading company screw ups go back to very first (and most prominent) graded card, the PSA 8 Gretzky/McNall T206 Wagner.

Things tend to get amplified on the internet, but I don't think what we're seeing presently is any different that what we've seen before (and will see again).

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

Originally Posted by swarmee

Do you have a link or source. Initial reports were that Mike never sealed them in his cases, and the stickers themselves were counterfeit.

Mike himself confirmed they were indeed his stickers and the cards were legit

[swarmee]

So the reason for this list, and regularly updating it with new information, is to inform people about what is currently going on around them. So many scams are happening simultaneously that you have to search multiple message boards, websites, youtube channels, etc to hear about them all.
Having it in one place will help understand the scope and allow people a one stop shop. Many get overwhelmed trying to keep track of it all.

Yes, there have been frauds and scammers since cards started breaking $10 a card. But the scope in dollar value and number of scams is at a critical level. Let's just see how many are on this list at the end of the year.

[swarmee]

Originally Posted by Aquarian Sports Cards

Mike himself confirmed they were indeed his stickers and the cards were legit

Just saw the video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsYXDVQA2eA

Corrected the list to say:
7) Counterfeit slabs being passed at card shows in FL, NV, PA, TX. Suspects arrested in Dallas; one tased for trying to escape. Las Vegas Card Show, Beckett Industry Summit, Dallas, Bay Area Card Show Clearwater FL, Philly. Note: Latest news is that the Mike Baker sleeved Jordans are real and were graded by Baker in Dallas.

Here's another link with one of the scammed guys on Jordan RCs who then tried to sell them on eBay last November. Sounds like Genamint software at PSA may not be catching resubmitted cards like they're expected to.
https://www.blowoutforums.com/showthread.php?t=1494918

[jjp3rd]

Originally Posted by conor912

Rough start to the year, for sure. Card grading has become to the hobby what social media has to the world.....a few redeeming qualities, but overall a net negative.

+1


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Snapolit1]

Con men do their best work fleecing greedy people who are trying to pull a fast one themselves.

[earlywynnfan]

Originally Posted by egri

This thread reminded me of the fake signed T206 scandal from a few years ago. Has anyone heard anything about that lately?

I think you have your answer. If you check under the rug, I'll bet it's been swept under there.

[Johnny630]

Don’t like the price hahah extend the bidding by a day, call it a system wide glitch. These dummies continue to bid with them, why not do it when you think prices are to low as a AH. There is nothing to lose nobody besides us, which is a small percentage of buyers in this industry care. The dealers love this Sh&t they can mark up their cards more biased off these pumped up auction numbers.

It’s so comical.

[Snapolit1]

[QUOTE=Johnny630;2188612]Don’t like the price hahah extend the bidding by a day, call it a system wide glitch. These dummies continue you to bid and buy why not do it. There is nothing to lose nobody besides us, which is a small percentage of buyers in this industry care. The dealers love this Sh&t they can mark up their cards more biased off these pumped up auction numbers.

It’s so comical.[/QUOTE

Been here long enough to know that it all depends on who the player is in assessing the collective judgment. If this was done tonight people would be patting the AH on the back for going above and beyond with their customer service and offering their best wishes on how difficult a development this must have been for them. It all depends.

[ullmandds]

Originally Posted by Johnny630

Don’t like the price hahah extend the bidding by a day, call it a system wide glitch. These dummies continue you to bid and buy why not do it. There is nothing to lose nobody besides us, which is a small percentage of buyers in this industry care. The dealers love this Sh&t they can mark up their cards more biased off these pumped up auction numbers.

It’s so comical.

Sounds like a cryptic reference to pwcc’s latest stunt.

[egri]

Originally Posted by earlywynnfan

I think you have your answer. If you check under the rug, I'll bet it's been swept under there.

I figured as much. It's unfortunate.

[irv]

Originally Posted by swarmee

Tracking it over at Blowout. 7 major scandals already in only three weeks. Two multi-million dollar losses! Solid pace.

https://www.blowoutforums.com/showthread.php?p=17942920

Thanks for posting this up, John.

Curious, as I didn't see it, is there a vid of them opening the Pokeman box only to find G.I. Joe packs?
I seen a partial vid and that is it?

[swarmee]

Originally Posted by irv

Curious, as I didn't see it, is there a vid of them opening the Pokeman box only to find G.I. Joe packs?

I think case owner Logan Paul's youtube video is going to be the best we're going to get, unless it is overturned to law enforcement. Even then, we might not see it.

[swarmee]

Originally Posted by Snapolit1

Been here long enough to know that it all depends on who the player is in assessing the collective judgment. If this was done tonight people would be patting the AH on the back for going above and beyond with their customer service and offering their best wishes on how difficult a development this must have been for them. It all depends.

Well, a reasonable solution would have been to extend bidding for an hour. But yes, the precedent has been set by all the DDOS failures over the past couple of years at Goldin, Heritage, etc that extending a day is now "SOP"; doesn't mean it shouldn't get scrutiny.
How do these cases hold up to the auction regulations in the states they're HQ'd in? Do they meet the requirements or are they skirting the law, just haven't been reported for it?

[irv]

Originally Posted by swarmee

I think case owner Logan Paul's youtube video is going to be the best we're going to get, unless it is overturned to law enforcement. Even then, we might not see it.

Thanks for letting me know.

[swarmee]

Added a new one to the main post.

I am strongly of the opinion that no TPG should be certifying cards as authentic deserving a number grade without verifying that the autograph and patch are original to the card. Is this impossible? Possibly. Maybe patches are a bridge too far. But authentication is their #1 job, and they're getting it wrong so often it's ridiculous and customers need to demand better.

We know at least 10 players who either used autopens or had family members sign for them. Cards with streaky or faded autos are being wiped down and re-signed either by the original player or a forger. Autos are being re-touched by alterers.

Sticker autos are being added to base cards and scammers are printing "Panini Authenticated Auto" on the back. Patches are getting swapped for jersey pieces with more colorful patches on them, some straight from Wal-Mart.

None of the grading companies, to my knowledge, notify you that they do not authenticate the autos or patches despite grading the card. If so, it's buried 30 pages deep on their website. If they're not willing to authenticate the auto or patch are true and original, they should disclose that ON THE SLABS.

[todeen]

Originally Posted by swarmee

Added a new one to the main post.



I am strongly of the opinion that no TPG should be certifying cards as authentic deserving a number grade without verifying that the autograph and patch are original to the card. Is this impossible? Possibly. Maybe patches are a bridge too far. But authentication is their #1 job, and they're getting it wrong so often it's ridiculous and customers need to demand better.



We know at least 10 players who either used autopens or had family members sign for them. Cards with streaky or faded autos are being wiped down and re-signed either by the original player or a forger. Autos are being re-touched by alterers.



Sticker autos are being added to base cards and scammers are printing "Panini Authenticated Auto" on the back. Patches are getting swapped for jersey pieces with more colorful patches on them, some straight from Wal-Mart.



None of the grading companies, to my knowledge, notify you that they do not authenticate the autos or patches despite grading the card. If so, it's buried 30 pages deep on their website. If they're not willing to authenticate the auto or patch are true and original, they should disclose that ON THE SLABS.

Doesn't Topps state on their cards that all autographs are signed in front of a representative?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

[swarmee]

Originally Posted by todeen

Doesn't Topps state on their cards that all autographs are signed in front of a representative?

Topps may, but there are many ways to circumvent it. Wiping a streaky or faded auto is one.

Topps also printed these cards and released them into 2017 Topps Update packs a few years ago:


https://www.blowoutforums.com/showth...light=clemente

50 cards were marked TOPPS CERTIFIED AUTO, and were released in packs unautographed. The checklist included dead players like Ted Williams and Roberto Clemente. Theoretically those could be signed by forgers and sent in under TPGs rules and may not be required to be reviewed for authenticity. In this case, most of the TPGs are probably aware, but BGS and PSA have both authenticated autographed cards printed after the deaths of their subjects because they didn't do the research before certifying the cards or autos properly.

[todeen]

Originally Posted by swarmee

Topps may, but there are many ways to circumvent it. Wiping a streaky or faded auto is one.

Topps also printed these cards and released them into packs a few years ago:


https://www.blowoutforums.com/showth...light=clemente

50 cards were marked TOPPS CERTIFIED AUTO, and were released in packs unautographed. The checklist included dead players like Ted Williams and Roberto Clemente. Theoretically those could be signed by forgers and sent in under TPGs rules and may not be required to be reviewed for authenticity. In this case, most of the TPGs are probably aware, but BGS and PSA have both authenticated autographed cards printed after the deaths of their subjects because they didn't do the research before certifying the cards or autos properly.

Wow, I didn't know those existed cuz I don't follow modern very closely. I do collect Votto, MiLB and RC, and that would be a funny card to own.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

[Dead-Ball-Hitter]

Great list thanks for keeping us updated John. Heard the PWCC auction yesterday was a real mess.

[Exhibitman]

There are also cards that went out the back door. I have a near set of Peter Max football inserts from 1997 Topps Gallery that have the certified autograph embossing but no autographs.

[Michael B]

Originally Posted by swarmee

PSA's statement was the one that said Marx had filed bankruptcy. I'm sure they had that vetted through lawyers before sending it out.
"No, the baseball player wearing the No. 5 jersey has a much deeper meaning for the shop’s owner, Michael Minjares, a 36-year-old Oxnard resident who is part of the fast-growing world of sports memorabilia."
"Marx Cards is a family affair. Minjares’ wife, Tiffany, and another brother, Kevin Minjares, 28, both play starring roles in the operation. That’s not to mention four cousins who also work in the shop."
https://www.thecamarilloacorn.com/ar...family-affair/
Former CFO was Dennis Porto. According to his LinkedIn, he started his own company the same time (Nov '21) that Marx was going south.
https://businesssearch.sos.ca.gov/Do...39966-29410641

There do not appear to be any cases filed this year. There was a Michael J. Minares, Jr. of Phoenix who filed a bankruptcy in 2019 that was discharged in 2020 and closed in 2021. There was no docket for that case. In case anyone is wondering these are public records available to anyone who wishes to enroll and provide a credit card. They charge 10¢ to run names and no charge if you do not run something like 30 names in some set period (month or 3 months, they just changed the standard). We exceed every month so they get a few dollars from our office.