On May 23, 2024, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, led by U.S. Attorney Damian Williams and FBI Assistant Director in Charge James Smith, announced the arrest of Anthony Curcio, also known as “Brendan Wooley,” and Iosif Bondarchuk, also known as “Joe Bondarchuk,” for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud. The indictment reveals their involvement in a fraudulent scheme from 2022 to May 2024, designed to inflate the prices of sports and Pokémon trading cards.
Curcio and Bondarchuk falsely claimed that low-to-mid-grade cards had received high-grade ratings from a reputable card authentication company (PSA), thereby misleading buyers and marketplaces into purchasing these cards at inflated prices. The fraudulent scheme affected cards featuring renowned athletes like Michael Jordan, Tom Brady, Nolan Ryan, Larry Bird, Julius Erving, and Magic Johnson, as well as valuable Pokémon cards. Their deception led to over $2 million in actual and attempted fraudulent sales.
The fraudulent activities included:
- Online Marketplaces: Curcio advertised cards like the 1986 Fleer Michael Jordan #57 rookie card with fake high-grade ratings on online platforms, leading to significant price inflation.
- In-Person Sales: The duo sold fraudulent cards at card shops, auctions, and card shows.
- Creation of Fake Labels: Curcio ordered materials online to create forged card cases and labels, including barcodes and certification numbers, to mimic the authentic grading process by PSA.
When confronted by victims who discovered the fraud, Curcio and Bondarchuk often feigned ignorance and provided refunds, only to attempt to resell the same fraudulent cards to other victims. For instance, they sold a misrepresented 1986 Michael Jordan rookie card for $171,700, falsely claiming it had a grade of 10, when its true grade was lower.
Their fraudulent tactics extended to using fake identities and misleading victims about their true identities. For example, Curcio posed as “Brendan Wooley” and operated under fake names to avoid detection.
Curcio, 43, from Redmond, Washington, and Bondarchuk, 37, from Lake Stevens, Washington, face charges that each carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. The case, managed by Assistant U.S. Attorneys David R. Felton and Kingdar Prussien, emphasizes the commitment of the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the FBI to combat fraudulent activities and protect consumers.
The charges in the indictment are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. The case highlights the significant impact of fraudulent schemes on collectors and the integrity of the trading card market.
The full indictment details are available in the document titled “U.S. v. Curcio and Bondarchuk Indictment.” For more information, contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York.
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