Dan Mihalko, Docent:
Collecting sports memorabilia is a big business these days. But what can you do to make sure you don’t end up falling victim to a con artist selling fakes? Take a look at this case, it has some important lessons.
Narrator:
America’s popular pastime, the love of baseball... And like most sports, baseball has generated a memorabilia business worth billions.
Mark Mench, Fraud Victim:
I think I consider myself very knowledgeable about what a real one and a fake one is.
Narrator:
Mark Mench has been an autograph collector for 30 years and is very confident he can spot a fake. But, let’s say, his batting average took a hit recently.
Mench:
A Steve Prefontaine autograph you almost never see. So, he advertised for things that almost everyone would be interested in, who collects what I collect.
Narrator:
The “he” mark is reffering to is Carl Myer.
Mench:
The way he fooled me is because, how he spoke. He knew dealers, he knew the business, he knew basically everything that I knew about autographs, and I’ve collected 30 years.
Narrator:
Based on these conversations, Mench bought several items. Cards for Roberto Clemente, Steve Prefontaine, and Mel Ott.
Mench:
When the autographs came, I did recognize them as fake immediately and I tried to return them. I attempted to contact him. He actually threatened my life if I came near him. And basically, I was left holding the bag.
Ryan Amstone, US Postal Inspector:
Several sports collectors filed a mail fraud complaint with Postal Inspection Service claiming they purchased forged sports autographs.
Narrator:
Mench was one of 56 victims who paid Myer more than $74-thousand dollars for items.
Amstone:
A lot of the victims submitted those autographs to professional sports authenticators who confirmed they were in fact forgeries.
Narrator:
Postal Inspectors say when Mench filed a complaint they already had a file started on Carl Myer.
Mench:
Everything was done by mail; that was his undoing.
Narrator:
Myer was prosecuted in federal court on mail fraud charges and is now serving a two-year prison sentence now.
Mench:
I’m glad he paid a price because I’m sure he fooled many people besides me. I feel like I’m a person who would be hard to fool. It’s the first time in 30 I think I’ve every really been fooled.
Mihalko:
Myer was also ordered to pay more than $65-thousand dollars in restitution. To be safe, buy your collectibles from reputable dealers who offer lifetime, money-back guarantees of authenticity.