A judge in Birmingham, AL has sentenced an autograph forger to more than three years in federal prison for wire fraud and identity theft. Douglas Edward Duren, 38, of Atlanta, GA, pleaded guilty to the charges in March. Duren admitted to a long-running scheme of selling fake sports and entertainment autographs on three websites: everymemorabilia.com, neautograph.com, … [Read more...] about Duren Sentenced to 3+ Years in Prison for Bogus Autograph Business
bogus autographs
NBC News Story: Family Says Dealer Sold Them Large Amount of Bogus Autographs
NBC News has aired a lengthy investigative story on a collection of baseball memorabilia purchased as an investment now believed to be fake. A retired New Jersey firefighter, the late Charles Kerr bought items advertised as signed by Babe Ruth, Joe DiMaggio, Willie Mays, Derek Jeter and other greats. Now his family believes he was swindled for over $100,000 by a dealer … [Read more...] about NBC News Story: Family Says Dealer Sold Them Large Amount of Bogus Autographs
Philly TV Investigative Report Focuses on Coach’s Corner
A Pennsylvania man who says he spent $13,000 over two years on autographed items purchased through Coach's Corner Sports Auctions says he's now learned he bought forgeries. Paul Wedding contacted the investigative unit at Philadelphia ABC-TV affiliate WPVI and the station aired a story during its 11 PM newscast Tuesday. For years, Coach's Corner has been a lightning rod … [Read more...] about Philly TV Investigative Report Focuses on Coach’s Corner
Man Charged in Massive Fake Autograph Scheme Rejects Plea Deal
The Ohio man charged with setting up a massive autograph forgery ring online has rejected a plea deal. According to news reports in Youngstown, Cliff Panezich and his attorney didn’t accept the Mahoning County district attorney’s offer to accept a prison sentence of no more than seven years. Panezich believes he shouldn’t face more than three years but if the case goes … [Read more...] about Man Charged in Massive Fake Autograph Scheme Rejects Plea Deal
2 More Sentenced in Fake Autograph Case
Two more Ohio men have now been sentenced in a large sports autograph fraud scheme. Jason Lenzi of Columbiana, OH, was fined $1,000 and ordered to spend the next six months on electronically monitored home confinement for taking part in the operation. Daniel Marino of Austintown, OH was fined $4,000 and placed on six months house arrest for engaging in a pattern of … [Read more...] about 2 More Sentenced in Fake Autograph Case
Second Man Sentenced in Bogus Autograph Case
An Ohio man has been sentenced to five years of probation for contributing to what a huge phony autograph scam conducted online. Shawn Pelo, 27, of Warren, pleaded guilty Monday to one count of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity. WKBN-TV was there for the sentencing. Four others have also pleaded guilty in the case and a grand jury is examining evidence … [Read more...] about Second Man Sentenced in Bogus Autograph Case
Grand Jury Considers Ohio Man, Mom Over Bogus Autograph Claims
After several men from northeast Ohio pleaded guilty last year, Ohio prosecutors promised more charges were coming in a major fraud case involving fake autographs sold on eBay. This week, a grand jury is considering evidence that could put a 61-year-old woman and her son on trial. WFMJ-TV in Youngstown reported Wednesday that prosecutors believe Rose Panezich and her … [Read more...] about Grand Jury Considers Ohio Man, Mom Over Bogus Autograph Claims
Feds Asking for Victims to Come Forward in Fake Autograph Case
Amazon has begun contacting possible victims in a large-scale autograph fraud case that resulted in federal fraud charges against a Maryland man. As SC Daily reported last month, Joshua Aaron Shores, 41, of Bel Air, Maryland and also of Ocean City, Maryland, agreed to plead guilty to selling phony autographs through several business storefronts he set up on Amazon from … [Read more...] about Feds Asking for Victims to Come Forward in Fake Autograph Case
Prosecutor: Autograph Scam Ran Five Years; MLB Interested
The five Ohio men who’ve already pleaded guilty for their role in a massive autograph forgery case used hundreds of fake eBay IDs from 2010 through 2014 according to the Mahoning County, OH assistant prosecutor. Marty Desmond told Sports Collectors Daily the scheme involved the sale of phony autographs to at least 25,000 victims during that time, mostly for amounts under … [Read more...] about Prosecutor: Autograph Scam Ran Five Years; MLB Interested
PSA/DNA Releases List of Most Common Autograph Forgeries
The name of Los Angeles Dodgers rookie star outfielder Yasiel Puig has been added to the latest buyer-beware list of frequently forged celebrities' autographs compiled annually by PSA/DNA Authentication Services. Puig joins Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Mickey Mantle and other sports stars whose names have appeared over the years on PSA/DNA's "Most Dangerous Autographs" … [Read more...] about PSA/DNA Releases List of Most Common Autograph Forgeries