From Valleynewslive · · 1m 10s
Counterfeit trading cards fuel crime wave
A booming collector market is attracting sophisticated counterfeiters and thieves targeting high-value cards worth thousands.
In brief
A booming collector market is attracting sophisticated counterfeiters and thieves targeting high-value cards worth thousands. Trading card collecting has become a target for organized crime, with counterfeiters producing hard-to-detect fakes and thieves stealing from shops, conventions, and even the mail. Originally…
Trading cards become crime target
Collectors seeking high-value cards like Shohei Ohtani and Patrick Mahomes are fueling a booming market that's attracting counterfeiters and thieves.
Counterfeits are hard to detect
An analysis of court records and news archives found cases of sophisticated counterfeit cards sold for thousands of dollars, nearly impossible for buyers to spot as fake.
Thieves target shops and conventions
Brazen thieves are stealing legitimate high-dollar cards directly from local shops and high-profile trading card conventions across the country.
Even the mail isn't safe
Thieves have targeted trading cards shipped through the U.S. Mail, adding mail theft to the growing list of crimes targeting the collector market.
Fantasy cards also targeted
Collectors aren't just seeking sports stars. High-value fantasy cards like Pokémon's Mega Charizard and Magic the Gathering's Sol Ring are also prime targets for counterfeiters and thieves.
The big picture
Trading card collecting has become a target for organized crime, with counterfeiters producing hard-to-detect fakes and thieves stealing from shops, conventions, and even the mail.
