The Next Operation Bullpen Has Started

[mwash1983]

Lot of rumblings out there today of several million fake signed items, fake panini stickers, etc. One of the head guys killed himself, not sure if there are a thread.

https://x.com/darrenrovell/status/19...606169996?s=46

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1At...ibextid=wwXIfr

[fabiani12333]

If true, you'd think big-name athletes like Patrick Mahomes would have done something about it at some point -- try and track down who was selling fake autographs of theirs.

For it to have gone on for so long and be so lucrative is kind of mind boggling.

[boxbuster7]

Originally Posted by fabiani12333

If true, you'd think big-name athletes like Patrick Mahomes would have done something about it at some point -- try and track down who was selling fake autographs of theirs.

For it to have gone on for so long and be so lucrative is kind of mind boggling.

why the heck would athletes care one bit?

[JustinVerlander07]

Originally Posted by boxbuster7

why the heck would athletes care one bit?

They seem to care a lot about people selling their signatures for money, you don't think they care about people faking their signatures to sell for money?

[majestik101]

Just posted in Off-Topic. HUGE news.

Pretty sure it was the main guy who shot himself, although not confirmed.

From the article

"“It was an addiction". “How many items can I sell and give a front of a huge company. I did it for years. Purchased millions of dollars of legit items. Mixed it until [name withheld] found the hologram connect. Then I had the bank roll to buy even more. Do more signings. Every one item from a signing turned into 10,000. And it was certified. 95% of the [Patrick] Mahomes and Aaron [Judge] on the market are sold by me. Basically every autograph sold in the last 25 years you should have it looked at. It’s fake and someone sold it to you other than me.
I wish I had the exact dollar number of money taken in from this and I’ll go to my grave never knowing. I kept this secret from everyone."

More details -

https://sportscollectorsdigest.com/b...forgery-scheme

[dabbadoo]

this is scary stuff for collectors. but some of what that guy says just seems off. don't know what to believe. $500 million worth of inventory?

[PuddleMonkey]

You love to see it!

[solt0131]

Originally Posted by PuddleMonkey

You love to see it!

What the f*ck is wrong with you dude?

[PuddleMonkey]

Originally Posted by solt0131

What the f*ck is wrong with you dude?

I was lightheartedly mocking TBP, settle down.

[boxbuster7]

Originally Posted by solt0131

what the f*ck is wrong with you dude?

puddlemonkey collects harder than you

[eastbayak]

Good thing most of my collection is non-auto LOL

[Scottish Punk]

This is going to have some long downstream legs. Will most people care, we shall see. We all know the hobby is hot potato. As long as the item has a certification and sold to the next guy, all good. I don't know how you figure out good from bad if what he says is true. Somebody will pick up his process and restart again. What a mess for autograph memorabilia collectors.

[majestik101]

Originally Posted by Scottish Punk

This is going to have some long downstream legs. Will most people care, we shall see. We all know the hobby is hot potato. As long as the item has a certification and sold to the next guy, all good. I don't know how you figure out good from bad if what he says is true. Somebody will pick up his process and restart again. What a mess for autograph memorabilia collectors.

Probably true. This so-called "hobby" sure attracts a fickle bunch. People cared for about a day or two after the CT Scan news broke. That should have been the hobby news story of the century, and killed the after-market sealed wax industry but nah, clectors went back to buying sealed boxes from third-party sellers like it was no thang.

[dodgerfanjohn]

Every auto I have is Topps or in person.

[PuddleMonkey]

Originally Posted by dodgerfanjohn

Every auto I have is Topps or in person.

No Upper Deck or Poopini? Fleer? Donruss?

[JRX]

Originally Posted by dodgerfanjohn

Every auto I have is Topps or in person.

With respect to topps we're all just taking their word that its legit. Phil Hughes made a video of what topps sends. There's nobody actually watching them sign, they just attest that they did.

[3124508 on COMC]

1. Hopefully whatever jackwagon was/is running their eBay account is who was found by police. Good riddance if so.

2. Unless this runs really really deep, I don’t see how it even comes close in magnitude to some of the other long-time fake autographed memorabilia/card scams out there. Looking at you New York/New Jersey/Hollywood, FL/Ft Lauderdale, FL scammers.

[Archangel1775]

Originally Posted by 3124508 on COMC

1. Hopefully whatever jackwagon was/is running their eBay account is who was found by police. Good riddance if so.

2. Unless this runs really really deep, I don’t see how it even comes close in magnitude to some of the other long-time fake autographed memorabilia/card scams out there. Looking at you New York/New Jersey/Hollywood, FL/Ft Lauderdale, FL scammers.

The X Post states a deep Florida connection.

[Siberian13]

What, fake stuff in this hobby? Hard to believe

[bustsomewax]

What is he insinuating with Panini?

Did he sell them sticker autos that they eventually used for cards?

[3124508 on COMC]

Originally Posted by bustsomewax

What is he insinuating with Panini?

Did he sell them sticker autos that they eventually used for cards?

There’s a lot of Kobe autographed memorabilia out there with fake Panini certs. Probably has to do with that.

[TeeBee12]

Shaq cards from say ‘17/‘18 and on could come in to play too.

[ThoseBackPages]

feel bad for the auto collectors

[Bowman1951]

Originally Posted by ThoseBackPages

feel bad for the auto collectors

We are still holding the line!

[ThoseBackPages]

Originally Posted by Bowman1951

We are still holding the line!

GOOD!