mosconi

On 1/12/2024 at 6:31 AM, mrd160 said:

This is the last thing I want to say on this topic because I really want to move on with my real life, in my mind the only relevance of discussing any dealer is to see how these books that may have been tainted have moved around. I think it is very possible that many dealers in the Brooklyn/Queens area at least, have had hands or eyes on some of these books, the vast majority (most likely all) unknowingly. The dealers I know in this area knew who he was (one of which gave me the heads-up). If it is true that this alleged scammer has been switching books, then every single one of his submissions needs to be scrutinized…period. And we need to see how the books were laundered. I can say from my personal experience, that these books were sold/marketed at shows and off-line as well as eBay/auction houses. My position, right now, is that CGC is a major victim here in terms of their reputation so it is up to them to decide what they do with any information that is provided. As I have said I’m not a slab collector I offered whatever information I had first-hand knowledge of to CGC and it’s up to them to decide what they’re gonna do. Everyone else needs to chill because we don’t know how deep this goes and quite honestly we probably never will. 

Well said I'm sure CGC knows who the culprit is by now and is further accumulating as much evidence as possible from as many sources available to create an airtight case.  If CGC wants to retain credibility after all is said and done, they'll need to prosecute this individual/persons involved to the full extent of the law (jail time) and set an example to the comic world that this nefarious behavior will not be accepted or tolerated now or in the future.

And also importantly, implement and explain to the community all the necessary changes made in their systems and designs to ensure these scams do not reappear...

On 1/11/2024 at 7:57 AM, comicjel said:

Isn't it this?...

https://www.amazon.com/X-ACTO-Heavy-Guillotine-Trimmer-Inches/dp/B0006HVQH8?th=1

 

Very nice catch!  I know several of us had suspicions of trimming on some previous books, namely the JIM #83 that was shown earlier in this thread.  If slab swapping is getting by CGC, it brings to question if trimming has been getting by on some of the Silver Age books that have been "submitted for grading" by this fraudster?  My thoughts are every SA grading submission from this account needs to be re-looked at carefully for possible trimming.  Maybe a crazy task to undertake and sound silly but every Silver Age book submitted by this individual shouldn't be considered safe without additional scrutiny... 

On 1/10/2024 at 10:22 AM, buttock said:

 

 

It wasn't until the 3rd generation slabs that the label was not connected to the inner well.  So long as a book is still in a 1st or 2nd generation slab it shouldn't have been possible to swap them out.  

I was not aware of this.  I thought all inner wells were disconnected from their labels going back to the very first gen.  Thanks for sharing.

On 1/7/2024 at 3:13 PM, topcat54 said:

I think she did 

   On 1/7/2024 at 3:18 PM, mosconi said:

The JIM #83 was the book that made me stop in my tracks.  Very suspect.

As far as Dupcak, if you look at his auction raw books, almost every one of them has the appearance of trimming.  On some of the auctions he used to disclose the trimming in the description, and on others he chose not to disclose.  He is an individual of many deceptive skills and extremely knowledgeable in all their practices.  He was quite the wealth of information when he used to post on these forums...

He posting on this very thread. 

Hope you're not referring to me as being Dupcak.  I've been on these boards for nearly 20 years and recall most of the scandals of the early days.  Ewert actually caused me to leave the hobby for nearly 8 years.  Bought and sold to many boardies over the years and my personal information is known to quite a number of people on this forum.  And fyi, Dupcak was outed as JJJ in a previously locked thread a few years back, so not unbelievable that he's back in some form. 

On 1/7/2024 at 11:06 AM, shadroch said:

Is dupchak known for his micro-trimmimg? I thought his schtick was undisclosed color touch. Jason Ewert was the guy CGC blamed for passing books with micro-trimming past them. He supposedly left the business. I'm not aware of anything he's been involved with since then. Maybe CGC should hire him as a consultant. 

The JIM #83 was the book that made me stop in my tracks.  Very suspect.

As far as Dupcak, if you look at his auction raw books, almost every one of them has the appearance of trimming.  On some of the auctions he used to disclose the trimming in the description, and on others he chose not to disclose.  He is an individual of many deceptive skills and extremely knowledgeable in all their practices.  He was quite the wealth of information when he used to post on these forums...

Thank you for the information and photos.  I feel these books could become a valuable resource to further aid in bringing this scammer to justice.  And I don't know what it is about all those comics, but many of them are screaming right edge trim job to me.  I'm feeling they may have been manipulated in some fashion.  This is where we could use Mr Dupcak's expertise in micro-trimming and trimming detection, he'd give us some clarity as to what could be going on with these books  

On 1/6/2024 at 8:05 PM, mrd160 said:

Also I think people should know that I came across this guy at a show. He wasn’t just selling online and he wasn’t alone

Was this a well known dealer set up at the show? 

On 1/3/2024 at 5:36 PM, WernerVonDoom said:

Holy &#!. I have a book on the list. FF #2 7.5.  I bought this in 2020 from my local comic book store in California.

It looks exactly like a 7.5, nice with a small stain. Zero red flags.

This makes no sense to me.

 

That's a beautiful looking copy.  Are there any "Qualified" CGC sales of this book with a page or pinup missing that you can identify and possibly find an image for it?   

On 1/3/2024 at 5:13 PM, Buzzetta said:

Anyone else go through the list and cross check it with their registry books or am I the only one? 

All good for now here. 

I checked it with my Spidey books as soon as it came out and was able to breath a deep sigh of relief, for the time being... 

On 1/3/2024 at 4:56 PM, THE_BEYONDER said:

Didn’t he post a how to about cracking and resealing slabs back in the day?

I'd love to find and read that thread.  Btw, I believe he also had incredible knowledge and expertise with signature forgeries?  I'm pretty sure that's one of the charges he went to jail for...

Whatever the devious methods this scammer has implemented over the years, his name needs to be exposed to the comic collecting world very soon!  Can you imagine if we end up with Danny Dupcak as the criminal mastermind behind this, attempting to show CGC how inferior they and their product are?  

On 1/3/2024 at 4:18 PM, BigLeagueCHEW said:

Where would the original go? You need to be an authorized CGC SS witness to resub an SS to retain.

It could possibly be sent to CGC's competitor who would authenticate the sig and place it in their SS holder.  Has this scammer been shown to also sell competitor slabs on ebay?  If not, he's probably using the auction houses to sell them off there 

On 12/26/2023 at 3:19 PM, Math Teacher said:

Just back from CGC today!

Congrats on some great books 

On 12/12/2023 at 7:21 PM, gunsmokin said:

39 will always be my first “love”

Two of the best Romita covers ever!

On 12/5/2023 at 8:34 PM, MattTheDuck said:

The genius of how these stories worked themselves out.  Spidey really had to use the ol' noodle rather than just punching his way out of his problems.

I think that was the mass appeal of Spidey early on to his readers.  A nerdy, geeky, homely student who could think his way through and vanquish his powerful adversaries.  Although he did pack a powerful wallop too

On 12/23/2023 at 6:01 PM, agamoto said:

Well now that the fellow has been effectively doxxed, CGC does have more of an excuse to lock/delete the thread. I hope that doesn't happen.

Also, Bree is a Scorpio! Oooh!

We did this with Jason Ewert nearly 20 years ago and exposed the culprit and the thread was never locked.  If CGC is looking to get to the bottom of this and find the culprit that has committed these devious acts, then they will keep this thread alive until there is a resolution.  Anything else would show abandonment by CGC for the situation...

On 12/23/2023 at 5:54 PM, sledgehammer said:

Yes.

 

I would assume any other big time dealers that have had transactions with him will be looking over their inventory very carefully and contacting him for some answers if they still have the books in stock.  And how do we know if he has direct connections with any CGC employees at this point? 

On 12/23/2023 at 4:45 PM, Taxi Driver said:

See that's the issue! I get it we want to do our due diligence, however, every day we don't expose this guy to the MASSES, someone is probably getting taken! The evidence is there, the guy needs to be called out. 

This is a great point.  I haven't read all the posts in this thread but has the identity and real name of this seller been exposed?  I know I've seen his ebay listings for many years.  Is he a big-time dealer from the east coast that sets up at conventions?  Is he well known in the collecting community?  Does he have a personal relationship with any CGC employees?  Lots of interesting information that needs to come forth...   

On 12/14/2023 at 12:11 PM, ThomasTrain said:

https://www.linnsheriff.org/jail/adults-in-custody/view/?id=852052

Not sure if I understand this, but are all his charges still pending and is he currently in custody? 

On 12/14/2023 at 11:08 AM, CAHokie said:

 

The Police are not going to do a search warrant unless they agree it’s a high enough level crime and go looking for evidence.  You can’t just ask them to do one. A Judge would also have to sign off on it. 

I thought someone mentioned he may have over a million dollars in stolen goods at this point.  I would venture to guess that's a pretty high enough level of crime to have a judge sign off on a search warrant, if that's an accurate figure and documentation can be provided to the court?   

I believe a search warrant with law enforcement involved would be a solution that does not involve Mike's assistance or approval...

I haven't read this entire thread and don't know if this has been suggested already, but how about finding his home address and someone going in person with law enforcement to reclaim all the stolen property.  If he refuses to answer his door, obtain a search warrant to recover the stolen goods in his possession/property and put an end to this fiasco... 

Just saw your comment Mr. Zipper and looks like we are thinking alike  

Fantastic upgrade and GLWTS on this gorgeous Spidey annual