{
  "id": 1898694,
  "title": "Inside the fraud scandal that's rocked the $15 billion trading card industry",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/19/inside-the-fraud-scandal-thats-rocked-the-15-billion-trading-card",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-19T08:19:01.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Business Insider",
    "slug": "business-insider",
    "url": "https://www.businessinsider.com/anthony-curcio-trading-fraud-scandal-psa-2026-8"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "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.",
  "summary": "The ballad of Anthony Curcio: Football hero. Bank robber. Children's book author. Trading card fraudster.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}