How I Almost Lost $12,000 (Green Wing Clear Wrap Box Scam)

well that’s one way for TCA to get another 100,000 view video :sweat:

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But I presume this problem can’t occur - or is very rare - with the WOTC seal, then?

Couldn’t that be forged as well?

No. I’m not referring to some random person telling a story. I’m talking about established sellers.

For example, Gary’s boxes. My Sugimori signatures/trophies. Anyone who has been in the game over a decade now has a paper trail.

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So, you don’t wanna buy my trophy card?

@trainerdlyellow, Haha but in all seriousness that is a great example! Also why its important to show the cert numbers!

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This is why I could never bring myself in this day and age to buy one of these boxes. Its just straight up too risky. Unless you open the box then open multiple packs you can not say 100% its legit. I feel this also holds this box back from gaining value. Just not worth spending that kind of money on uncertainty when you can go buy a Psa 10 1st edition zard and some extras for the same price and can sleep at night. Just my thoughts.

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The fake was very fake. There’s many signs that point to it being fake. I knew it was before opening from all the indicators mentioned. Ultimately I’d still buy an authentic 1st Edition or Shadowless box but to each his own. TCA has plenty of reason to be paranoid since he had the fake one for so long before realizing it was fake. I’ll forever be more cautious moving forward as well. I can understand not wanting to deal with it.

Maybe this is not ideal but would it be so bad to have an opened box with all the original contents still inside? Sure, you’d have to be highly respected and well known to ever sell but if you keep it all together at least you’d have the piece of mind.

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An interesting thought I have that could be blasphemous to all you sealed collectors out there. But none the less an alternative to this problem. If somebody was truly concerned about the legitimacy of their box, as well as not wanting to lose much of its value if any. I wouldn’t suggest this for any box. But maybe a norm for clear wrap.

What if the buyer/ seller opened the box in question up on camera. Assuming everything checked out. And was legit, they could show all 36 packs on screen, and weigh every one. Assuming that there were 11-13 heavies and the rest were light. They could put each box fresh pack into a tamper proof bag + seal. (I know that’s an issue in itself. But if we’re talking about a legit person like rusty. There should be no worries). Then assuming everything was still going well at this point. They could shuffle up the packs again. Place them back inside the booster box. And then tamper bag/ seal the whole booster box back up. I don’t mean like attempt to re-wrap it. But I’m sure they make a nice sized bag that could be attractively sealed. Of course all of this on Camera.

Again. I know this may not be the most ideal. But as we move into the era of these being well worth enough to fake. I personally would prefer to buy something like this, if I were in the market. Let’s say Rusty did this. He has now created a record of this box being verified. Anybody who ever puchased the box, and wanted to re sell it. Could show the video and verify that the box was verified on camera. Just an idea…

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There are box authentication companies for sports (e.g. www.bbcexchange.com/authentication)) that break the seal, check the packs, and then reseal themselves with an authentication card underneath the seal. Potentially a business opportunity for Pokemon etc. going forward as the boxes become more expensive and profitability of making fakes goes up.

Right now however, doing what you suggested would be blasphemy for any serious box collector. I could see something like that being used for a seller that wants to open a box and sell the packs individually, however.

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@hypernova :flushed: how does that even work? If it’s opened it’s technically no longer sealed

I was going to reference bbcexchange. Some people appreciate the service, some despise it, as they don’t want to see a brand on their box. I wouldn’t be surprised if they adopted non sports boxes eventually.

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For vintage sports boxes (pre 1969) bbce has actually been a valuable resource. For Pokémon, or the big majority of newer sports boxes, there’s other ways to be sure. Since those ways aren’t common knowledge, a box check service is better than nothing.

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The same seller is auctioning a 1st ed Base Box now

rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?ff3=4&pub=5575502441&toolid=10001&campid=5338532980&customid=&mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fm.ebay.com%2Fitm%2FBox-1st-Edition-Base-Set-English-Resealed-Pokemon-Card-36-Boosters-Charizard%2F333553570360

The description translated is:

I have obtained this box at a local street market, I am not sure if it is factory sealed or resealed.Everything seems right for it to be a factory sealed box minus a stain on the back, it looks like a damp stain, I have I take a photo so it can be seen well. Please before bidding take a good look at all the photos and information I write here, I will not accept returns. The last box like this has been sold for more than € 50,000. When in doubt if it is factory sealed it will sell for much less, so I will not accept returns, you have to be sure before placing a bid. It will be sent with a tracking number and signature collection.

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I recall an old YouTube video when I was buying boxes. This person had 3-6 boxes of skyridge and other WOTC era boxes. Back then people like smgquest were common. I bought 3k in boxes and they arrived but we’re not sealed but filled with cards. I was able to get a refund, but I never bought from Spain again. Is there some sort of legal reason why we see scammers do this in Europe?

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Actually, I just saw a video on IG some guy opened a fake aquapolis box with WotC wrap, so unfortunately, it’s not entirely impossible.

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I saw this video as well, but it was blatantly obvious that it was a reseal. The sealing itself was thiccer than a heavy booster.

@shadowless / @nostalgiaoldbird may I ask where I can find this video? – thanks!

I forgot who posted it - it was a bigger instagrammer though. If I can remember I´ll let you know!

Could you post the username please?

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