Inside the fraud scandal that's rocked the $15 billion trading card industry
The ballad of Anthony Curcio: Football hero. Bank robber. Children's book author. Trading card fraudster.
Anthony Curcio, a former high school football star and convicted bank robber, is now facing serious fraud allegations tied to the $15 billion trading card industry. According to prosecutors, Curcio allegedly defrauded buyers in the booming trading card market through a sophisticated scheme involving wire fraud, identity forgery, and manipulation of rare card labels.
The case, known as Operation Heist and Holder, was launched after a two-year FBI investigation. Curcio's defense claims the real culprit is Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA), the leading grading company in the industry, which they allege has effectively monopolized the market.
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