New allegations on BO

[ullmandds]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

Looks more like a pas de deux to me.

You’re forgetting betsy.

[frankbmd]

Brent just needs to post another "calming" video for his investors on youtube. Problem solved. Where's Martin?

[swarmee]

1994 SkyBox Bongo Comics Simpsons Series 2 - Characters #S 23 - Martin Prince
Courtesy of COMC.com

Ivy League edumacated.

[swarmee]

Originally Posted by frankbmd

Brent just needs to post another "calming" video for his investors on youtube. Problem solved. Where's Martin?

PaulMaul is doing a pretty good impression:
https://forums.collectors.com/discus...ned-by-pwcc/p4

[MULLINS5]

Must suck to be censored.

[drcy]

Apparently, the CGC labeling of comic books includes calling 'conserved' comic as unaltered. This conservation includes pressing and removing of binding and coloring!

This is 100% what baseball card collectors don't want and are against. If a card has been conserved or restored fine, but the baseball card wants and insists the work be designated on the label-- and the card can't get a numerical grade.

Now I know why PWCC, and Goudey, want the baseball card hobby to adopt that labeling system. The CGC labeling system doesn't label what the baseball card hobby consider alterations.

[swarmee]

Sent this to the FDLE tipline this morning

https://www.blowoutforums.com/showthread.php?t=1295881

There is a very large scandal going on in the baseball card community with high level scammers taking advantage of the grading companies and scamming people for millions. One of these is Robert Block, who altered cards to make them look better, passed them through the certifying company Beckett Grading Service, and then sold them through Pre-War Card Collector (PWCC) on eBay. Since Block lives in Florida, the authorities here should be contacted.

Here is more information about the scams; the FBI should be brought in as well:
https://www.blowoutforums.com/showthread.php?t=1290614

https://www.blowoutforums.com/showthread.php?t=1293713

https://www.blowoutforums.com/showthread.php?t=1296184

https://www.blowoutforums.com/showthread.php?t=1288383

https://www.blowoutforums.com/showthread.php?t=1297351

https://www.blowoutforums.com/showthread.php?t=1292005

https://www.blowoutforums.com/showthread.php?t=1296884

https://www.blowoutforums.com/showth...light=superior

https://www.blowoutforums.com/showth...light=superior

My father was the Bureau Chief of the Fort Myers branch of FDLE for 20 years until he died five years ago. I would like to see this investigated and passed to the proper authorities in each district and federal.
Thanks!
John Rafferty

[bobbyw8469]

I'm totally sickened by all this. In my opinion, there is a big difference between removing wax stains with panythose and trimming cards and adding color. Disgusting.

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by swarmee

Sent this to the FDLE tipline this morning

That is great, I seriously appreciate all that is going on to expose the scammers.

IMHO nobody is taking advantage of the grading companies. They are either in on it or they hire blind graders.

[Rookiemonster]

If this is true. RIP any card bought and sold through PWCC. All the cards they ever handled are pretty much deemed suspect from this moment on. Also a big blow for “High End” this backs what collectors have been saying for years. As to the idea that high grade card should not exist.

If true we all know this is not the first time someone has tried this and not the last. I also would that a lot of others scammers are out in the world doing this.

[swarmee]

Originally Posted by Rookiemonster

If true we all know this is not the first time someone has tried this and not the last. I also would that a lot of others scammers are out in the world doing this.

Oh, Blowout has already identified 10 other scammers in the last couple of months. Hot and heavy trimming with BGS, mostly: Kevin Burge, SSI (Sliheets). Just spend a few days there in their member feedback section and it's like you've taken the red pill from The Matrix.

[darwinbulldog]

I wonder how many of the outed cards will be showing up for auction again this summer.

[topcat61]

Originally Posted by ullmandds

You’re forgetting betsy.

Looking at her profile on Linked In, she's not a stupid woman, and she has to know nearly everything this Auction House is doing. I haven't seen PWCC's financial statements but they claim $50 million in annual sales, so there are 2 things that can occur: 1. Since there appears to be more than enough evidence against PWCC in the form of Shill The only problem

[topcat61]

Originally Posted by ullmandds

You’re forgetting betsy.

First there's a lot of talk about Fraud and Shill Bidding without the words "alleged". My gut is telling me that all the investigating at Blowout Cards and what people here are saying is accurate, but I'd still go with the wording "alleged". Certainly people are angry with PWCC and Brent Huigens hasn't done himself any favors during that interview, but he isn't apart of a criminal investigation that I'm aware of.

I haven't seen PWCC's financial statements but they claim $50 million in annual sales which is a clear motive for an alleged fraud, but people have to be careful with these accusations from a legal standpoint at this point.

It's somewhat ambiguous to me that card doctoring is illegal but there is precedent for a potential indictment in the Bill Mastro and Doug Allen cases. These two cases could debunk Brent's assertion that "before and after" photos aren't evidence, but I suppose it isn't a crime unless the card is sold or the company knowingly sells items which have been altered and doesn't inform the purchaser. In order for someone to conclude that is the case -Before and after photos are just half of what's needed to build a case. There are 2 things which immediately come to mind: 1) If Shill Bidding is evident, (which is illegal) a forensic computer analyst should be involved with that. 2) Follow the money and emails and flip certain key people within. I don't think you can flip Betsy Huigens since she's married to Brent but the CFO, IT guys and low to mid level auction. operations guys can be much easier.

I wouldn't just look into PWCC but also PSA and see if there's a grader or two on the take looking the other way. Personally, I don't trust the grading companies and wouldn't submit a card with one.

Lastly, everyone is entitled to a defense -even Brent and Betsy Huigens and if there is any wrong doing, it should be settled in a courtroom, not a court of opinion. I'd say that if anyone truly feels that they have case against PWCC, that they should make it with the AG or their state, the Oregon AG or FBI for further investigation.

[swarmee]

Originally Posted by topcat61

I wouldn't just look into PWCC but also PSA and see if there's a grader or two on the take looking the other way.

I haven't even posted this 50-page thread on blowout that was started like two days ago about BGS giving impossibly favorable grades to a former employee who is still friends with their graders:
https://www.blowoutforums.com/showthread.php?t=1297069

BGS is in on the scam. That I have no doubt. PSA I can still be convinced is just COMPLETELY INCOMPETENT. Also, I am not a lawyer. If someone wants to sue me or send me a C&D, maybe I can get one of you awesome barristers to represent me pro bono. Oddly enough, I have received zero emails/messages asking me to stop posting. As they say, "Sunlight is the best disinfectant."

[robkas68]

I have never sold anything with PWCC. I have purchased some things through PWCC though not too much in the last few years for no other reason then their sale prices have been too rich for my blood. I have purchased a couple items from other people named on blowout, but they have generally been low dollar $15-20 type stuff. Today I found my first hit:

T205 Mathewson. No idea if it is bad, and it was not the huge hit some people will take, but I did pay around $350 for it. The other card really doesn't have anything to do with the thread, I just photograph the cards I put in my safe deposit box.

[swarmee]

Originally Posted by robkas68

T205 Mathewson. No idea if it is bad, and it was not the huge hit some people will take, but I did pay around $350 for it. The other card really doesn't have anything to do with the thread, I just photograph the cards I put in my safe deposit box.

Put it under a blacklight to see if you can detect recoloring, reglossing, or pressed out creases. According to one poster, Corey (Last Name Unknown), PSA will review it for free because of this scandal. If it was altered and you want it in an AUTH-ALTERED slab, they'll refund you the difference in values.

Edit: looks like it is Cory Weiser who posted his call from PSA.