Peetry’s Card Show<\/a> from the Treasure Coast to South Florida, said the trading card market has surged in value.<\/p>\n\u201cThe market for even specifically just Pok\u00e9mon or trading cards in general, it is the most lucrative market there is,\u201d Sutherland said.<\/p>\n
Sutherland said the rising value often comes down to nostalgia and scarcity.<\/p>\n
\u201cOnce they’re out of their print run, they are never recycled back in,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
He said authentic cards often have specific textures, coloring and holographic features that can be difficult to counterfeit.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you rub your finger across it you can feel texture,\u201d Sutherland said.<\/p>\n
He also pointed to details on a Pok\u00e9mon card box, similar to the ones involved in one of the scams, that can help collectors identify counterfeit products.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese are intentionally made not to be symmetrical. If you can see this end is higher than this one,\u201d Sutherland said.<\/p>\n
Sutherland urged buyers to slow down and inspect items before completing a deal, warning that rushed transactions can be costly.<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause the last thing we ever want, ever, ever, ever is for our kids. Our future collectors to ever incur any of these problems,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Sutherland said the safest place to buy, sell, or trade collectibles is at a card show, where experienced collectors and vendors can help spot counterfeits. Meanwhile, Martin County deputies said they are still working to identify the suspects in both fraud cases.<\/p>\n