Is This The Scam That Nukes The Hobby?

JohnnyHatesJazz · 09-26-2025, 03:27 PM

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=yquv-6...Vlbi1VUw%3D%3D

Is this doomsday for card collecting? It appears there’s a state actor well known for fakes that is overwhelming the pool of authentic graded slabs with phony slabs that are close to the real thing.

Imnottheonly · 09-26-2025, 03:30 PM

No. Next question.

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SaveMeTheGum · 09-26-2025, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnnyHatesJazz

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=yquv-6...Vlbi1VUw%3D%3D

Is this doomsday for card collecting? It appears there’s a state actor well known for fakes that is overwhelming the pool of authentic graded slabs with phony slabs that are close to the real thing.

If the hobby can survive trimming/altering, breakers, and Fanatics, it can survive anything.

ThoseBackPages · 09-26-2025, 03:37 PM

yea i was just thinking about how the pandemic killed BODA

so this is a nothing burger

edogg1982 · 09-26-2025, 04:59 PM

I just stay within the PSA ecosystem so I don't have to worry about stuff like this.

buy graded card on Ebay -> goes to PSA for authentication -> send card to my PSA vault -> accept PSA offer or sell on Ebay through PSA

lather rinse repeat.

Nostalgia · 09-26-2025, 05:04 PM

Its not good. But we will survive.

corockies · 09-26-2025, 05:06 PM

CT Scanning is a much larger problem than this, and nothing is being done about it.

asujbl · 09-26-2025, 05:07 PM

Summarize please

I’m not watching a 30 minute video

Archimedes · 09-26-2025, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by corockies

CT Scanning is a much larger problem than this, and nothing is being done about it.

I was just thinking about this. What happened to CT scanning? After much panic, that just kind of faded.

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PeteD · 09-26-2025, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asujbl

Summarize please

I’m not watching a 30 minute video

Basically fake slabs are glued so you just twist the slab and it pops open.

awz50 · 09-26-2025, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asujbl

Summarize please

I’m not watching a 30 minute video

The episode warns about increasingly convincing fake PSA slabs, citing a dealer who lost $28,000 on counterfeit Poncho Pikachus and explaining schemes like pairing a real PSA 10 label with a lower-grade card in a glued fake case. Tips included checking the slab’s sonic weld vs. glue, looking for the micro “PSA” pattern on the back foil, and judging the card’s condition, not just the label. They also covered PSA’s new Frankfurt grading hub (easier EU submissions, potential relief for U.S. backlogs), hot sales for Saquon Barkley Downtowns (hosts would sell into strength), and a fun Disney × MLB crossover hitting Topps Chrome lines. Overall message: educate yourself, verify everything, and be cautious with “too good to be true” deals.

Yay AI

LVDan · 09-26-2025, 05:28 PM

The hobby? Nah-PLENTY of people who collect who don't bow down to PSA(or other grading companies)

For the convoluted "investment" portion of the card business- yeah this could ruffle some feathers for sure.

JoshMN · 09-26-2025, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Archimedes

I was just thinking about this. What happened to CT scanning? After much panic, that just kind of faded.

You obviously didn't get the memo about the first rule of CT Scanning Club...

asujbl · 09-26-2025, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeteD

Basically fake slabs are glued so you just twist the slab and it pops open.

Quote:

Originally Posted by awz50

The episode warns about increasingly convincing fake PSA slabs, citing a dealer who lost $28,000 on counterfeit Poncho Pikachus and explaining schemes like pairing a real PSA 10 label with a lower-grade card in a glued fake case. Tips included checking the slab’s sonic weld vs. glue, looking for the micro “PSA” pattern on the back foil, and judging the card’s condition, not just the label. They also covered PSA’s new Frankfurt grading hub (easier EU submissions, potential relief for U.S. backlogs), hot sales for Saquon Barkley Downtowns (hosts would sell into strength), and a fun Disney × MLB crossover hitting Topps Chrome lines. Overall message: educate yourself, verify everything, and be cautious with “too good to be true” deals.

Yay AI

Got it

I still don’t really get it but this was way faster

SaveMeTheGum · 09-26-2025, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoshMN

You obviously didn't get the memo about the first rule of CT Scanning Club...

Lol, that actually made me laugh.

That one pic of the Tom Brady Bowman Chrome rookie CT scan is life changing...

JohnnyHatesJazz · 09-26-2025, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edogg1982

I just stay within the PSA ecosystem so I don't have to worry about stuff like this.

buy graded card on Ebay -> goes to PSA for authentication -> send card to my PSA vault -> accept PSA offer or sell on Ebay through PSA

lather rinse repeat.

Good idea!

daveyc1 · 09-26-2025, 06:26 PM

it will be the big story for a week or so, then everyone will forget.

this is just the new version of WIWAG

ifykyk

edogg1982 · 09-26-2025, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnnyHatesJazz

Good idea!

I know!!!

mjohnatgt · 09-26-2025, 06:49 PM

18 posts in and no mention of Mister Mancave? The Hobby has a short memory. Too short.

mfw13 · 09-26-2025, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LVDan

The hobby? Nah-PLENTY of people who collect who don't bow down to PSA(or other grading companies)

For the convoluted "investment" portion of the card business- yeah this could ruffle some feathers for sure.

Well said....

PuddleMonkey · 09-26-2025, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asujbl

Summarize please

I’m not watching a 30 minute video

card market crashing

auburn35 · 09-30-2025, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daveyc1

it will be the big story for a week or so, then everyone will forget.

this is just the new version of WIWAG

ifykyk

Quote:

Originally Posted by mjohnatgt

18 posts in and no mention of Mister Mancave? The Hobby has a short memory. Too short.

Yeah, there are plenty of prior examples of fake slabs and PSA (others) sweeping the story under the ever growing hobby rug.
WIWAG is a great example, as not only did PSA fail to protect customers by providing a list of the impacted certs (many are likely still in circulation), they continued doing business with the convicted fraudsters.

https://www.blowoutforums.com/showthread.php?t=1369218

Another more recent example can be seen in this thread. Despite being named in an FBI/PSA investigation, the seller has seen little hobby/legal consequences. Still selling on eBay and even submitting to PSA.

https://www.blowoutforums.com/showthread.php?t=1545549

BlowoutBuzz · 09-30-2025, 12:24 PM

Fake slabs aren't new -- they're why slab styles have changed over the years. PSA isn't alone, though the other one never really addressed the issue in any meaningful way.

This issue is why I stick to one company for most (but not all) of my slabs.

larry25 · 09-30-2025, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThoseBackPages

yea i was just thinking about how the pandemic killed BODA

so this is a nothing burger

Are there no more BODA posts at all? What's going on with that? Did PSA pay them off to stop or something? Surely there are still plenty of obvious examples out there to post about.

auburn35 · 09-30-2025, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by larry25

Are there no more BODA posts at all? What's going on with that? Did PSA pay them off to stop or something? Surely there are still plenty of obvious examples out there to post about.

Not specific to BODA, but I'm aware of a couple blowout members who assisted in the various threads, now employed by psa. Obviously those members would be limited on what they can post, but the "official" BODA accounts are still active.

I'm sure BODA is keeping up with the hobby fraud, but when they laid out facts and didn't see many noteworthy results/action, a burnout can be expected.

09-26-2025, 03:27 PM	#1
JohnnyHatesJazz Member Join Date: Nov 2018 Posts: 7,460	Is This The Scam That Nukes The Hobby? https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=yquv-6...Vlbi1VUw%3D%3D Is this doomsday for card collecting? It appears there’s a state actor well known for fakes that is overwhelming the pool of authentic graded slabs with phony slabs that are close to the real thing. __________________ "If you can't handle the Patriots dynastic resurgence, call 1-800-YOU-LOSE and I will be more than happy to help you free of charge. Because I'm a NICE GUY." *Captain Of The Mayeflower*

09-26-2025, 03:37 PM	#4
ThoseBackPages Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Long Island Posts: 90,403 ThoseBackPages	yea i was just thinking about how the pandemic killed BODA so this is a nothing burger __________________ Pumpers Paradise #YouCryIBuy Four things that we cannot change each others minds about: Politics, Religion, Third Party Grading, and 2021 Bowman's Best Rookie Cards

09-26-2025, 05:07 PM	#8
asujbl Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 63,377 ohiosundevils	Summarize please I’m not watching a 30 minute video __________________ https://ohiosundevils.smugmug.com/ Browns/Cavs/Tribe/Buckeyes/Jackets/Devils TheFrenzy - “Blowout ain't a place for normies”

09-26-2025, 05:28 PM	#12
LVDan Member Join Date: Jun 2017 Posts: 17,612	The hobby? Nah-PLENTY of people who collect who don't bow down to PSA(or other grading companies) For the convoluted "investment" portion of the card business- yeah this could ruffle some feathers for sure. __________________ So we cheated and we lied and we tested. And we never failed to fail; it was the easiest thing to do.

09-30-2025, 12:24 PM	#23
BlowoutBuzz Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Posts: 14,093	Fake slabs aren't new -- they're why slab styles have changed over the years. PSA isn't alone, though the other one never really addressed the issue in any meaningful way. This issue is why I stick to one company for most (but not all) of my slabs. __________________ www.blowoutbuzz.com >>><<< Got something cool or interesting that might be worth a story? Know someone whose collection could be profiled? Send me a DM.

09-26-2025, 03:30 PM	#2
Imnottheonly Member Join Date: Sep 2019 Posts: 267	No. Next question. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

09-26-2025, 04:59 PM	#5
edogg1982 Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Michigan Posts: 53 silentgiant1982	I just stay within the PSA ecosystem so I don't have to worry about stuff like this. buy graded card on Ebay -> goes to PSA for authentication -> send card to my PSA vault -> accept PSA offer or sell on Ebay through PSA lather rinse repeat.

09-26-2025, 05:04 PM	#6
Nostalgia Member Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: New York Posts: 2,036	Its not good. But we will survive.

09-26-2025, 05:06 PM	#7
corockies Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 3,307 corockies corockies	CT Scanning is a much larger problem than this, and nothing is being done about it.

09-26-2025, 06:26 PM	#17
daveyc1 Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: maine Posts: 2,154	it will be the big story for a week or so, then everyone will forget. this is just the new version of WIWAG ifykyk

09-26-2025, 06:49 PM	#19
mjohnatgt Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Niceville, FL Posts: 14,748 mjohnatgt mjohnatgt	18 posts in and no mention of Mister Mancave? The Hobby has a short memory. Too short.