Hey everyone,
This is my first post here, and I wanted to share something that might help others avoid getting burned. I recently came across a fake Mega Charizard EX SAR from Inferno X that’s been circulating online. These counterfeits are getting increasingly sophisticated and can be very difficult to identify from photos alone, so this post focuses on what to look for before buying. I’ve also seen fake listings for Mega Gengar EX SAR from Mega Dream EX, so this issue isn’t limited to Charizard.
When judging authenticity from photos, the most reliable visual cue is the “flame” shimmer in the border. On genuine cards, the flames shift and move as you change the viewing angle. On this fake, the effect is static and barely changes. The yellow tint in the name is also slightly off — duller and less vibrant than it should be. The trademark at the bottom is another giveaway; it’s printed crooked and lacks the clarity typical of TPCI’s production quality.
The texture also looks and feels wrong. On authentic SAR cards, the foil pattern runs evenly across the surface, including over the numbering, and you can see a subtle rainbow glitter effect under light. On the fake, the texture stops before the numbering, and the glitter effect is almost completely missing.
The strongest proof came when I placed a flashlight behind the card — the light revealed the original common card underneath, confirming that the fake is literally a sticker layer placed on top of a non-holo base card. Under normal lighting this isn’t visible, which makes it particularly deceptive.
For reference, I’ve included side-by-side photos comparing the fake Charizard (left) with an authentic Mega Gengar EX SAR (right). This clearly shows how the real card’s yellow tones, text sharpness, and surface texture should look.
From what I’ve seen, these fakes are being resold most frequently on Vinted, so please be cautious if you’re buying there. The same cards are also available on AliExpress, likely where many of these are sourced. In the linked listing, you’ll notice more fake cards being sold, including Umbreon EX SAR from Terastal Festival. I can’t confirm if those are of the same quality as the fake Charizard or Gengar, but the Umbreon copies I’ve seen so far look significantly worse in print and texture quality.
Here’s the AliExpress listing for reference: Mega Charizard EX SAR fake on AliExpress
If anyone has questions or wants me to clarify specific details, feel free to ask — I’m happy to provide more close-ups or side angles if that helps others spot these fakes more easily.
Bottom line: If you’re buying a Mega Charizard EX SAR online, take your time to compare photos carefully. Pay close attention to the flame pattern, color tone, texture, and print details. These counterfeits are among the most convincing I’ve seen, so caution is key.