ASM #252 CGC 9.8 Record Sale - something fishy going on? - Holder Tampering Incident confirmed by CGC 50 50

[THE_BEYONDER]

On 12/26/2023 at 12:34 PM, comicwiz said:

Taking a break, from my last look, I compiled 6 Hulk 181's, I sent it off the compilation of links @THE_BEYONDER to double-check, and to organize if we decide to go the direction of starting a new post consolidating it all.

Appreciate all your work on this.  

[Silver Surfer]

There is an ASM #129 CGC 9.0 MJI listed on CL for $10k. The back cover scan looks like it’s a 5.0. And it’s hard to make out but is it the same dude in the reflection of his pic?

Edited December 26, 2023 by Silver Surfer

[WolverineX]

On 12/26/2023 at 11:08 AM, comicwiz said:

Most noticeable characteristics to ascertain exact match, same wrap, same spine ticks, crimped corners, but they are very difficult to pick-up for the blurry scans available to me on WP. I wasn't even able to pull a certificaiton date off it initially and needed to jump on another source to mine it based on the grade, sold date and amount. The one clincher for me is the soiling pattern (could be large foxing blotch) but it is not only in the exact same upper right corner location, but the outline is 100% exact. Again, it will be difficult to see it on the qualified example pics, but look at the blue label back cover pic and then the qualified, and you will see it's an exact match. 

4155507003 - CGC Qualified 6.0 - Hulk 1818 - Sold Feb 13, 2023 - $2750 (GD: 11/16/2022)

Mad props to @WestcoastDAVEngers and @mephistopheles - the cleare/better pics really help match this! 

4120217003 - CGC Universal 7.0 - Hulk 181 - Sold Apr 11, 2023 - $4216 (GD: 09/06/2022)

Incredible. This story just gets better.  CGC can easily figure out all the tampered slabs by going through the scammers' account but will they?  And is anyone else doing this right now?  

[mephistopheles]

CGC should offer @comicwiz a job in their fraud investigation team, or at least give him a few $1000 in credit for his Herculean effort in uncovering the scam books. @CGC Mike

[THE_BEYONDER]

On 12/26/2023 at 12:47 PM, Silver Surfer said:

There is an ASM #129 CGC 9.0 MJI listed on CL for $10k. The back cover scan looks like it’s a 5.0. And it’s hard to make out but is it the same dude in the reflection of his pic?

Pics?

[Silver Surfer]

I’m on my iPad so I’m not sure how to do a screenshot?

[sledgehammer]

On 12/26/2023 at 11:53 AM, THE_BEYONDER said:

On 12/26/2023 at 11:47 AM, Silver Surfer said:

There is an ASM #129 CGC 9.0 MJI listed on CL for $10k. The back cover scan looks like it’s a 5.0. And it’s hard to make out but is it the same dude in the reflection of his pic?

Pics?

https://www.comiclink.com/itemdetail.asp?back=%2Fcgcitems.asp%3Fid%3D3884%26Graded%3D%26x%3D0%26y%3D0%26pg%3D9&id=1664031

[Silver Surfer]

Same bad hairdo?

[BigLeagueCHEW]

On 12/26/2023 at 10:55 AM, sledgehammer said:

https://www.comiclink.com/itemdetail.asp?back=%2Fcgcitems.asp%3Fid%3D3884%26Graded%3D%26x%3D0%26y%3D0%26pg%3D9&id=1664031

Has anyone alerted @COMICLINK

[drotto]

On 12/26/2023 at 12:55 PM, sledgehammer said:

https://www.comiclink.com/itemdetail.asp?back=%2Fcgcitems.asp%3Fid%3D3884%26Graded%3D%26x%3D0%26y%3D0%26pg%3D9&id=1664031

Photos are not the best, but that spine is rough, especially on the back. Again could be a gift 9.0, but really looks like about a 7.5 to 8.0 to me.

[mephistopheles]

On 12/26/2023 at 1:37 PM, THE_BEYONDER said:

Turning SA trimmed books into blue labels could be quite lucrative.  Hopefully this isn’t already happening….

It would be much harder to hide the scam in SA books. The sheer churn of sales volume of bronze keys like Hulk 181, SW8 etc... make the scam less noticeable.

[Silver Surfer]

On 12/26/2023 at 9:58 AM, drotto said:

Photos are not the best, but that spine is rough, especially on the back. Again could be a gift 9.0, but really looks like about a 7.5 to 8.0 to me.

For a Bronze Age book, 7,5 seems generous. 

[THE_BEYONDER]

On 12/26/2023 at 1:01 PM, Silver Surfer said:

For a Bronze Age book, 7,5 seems generous. 

Gift grade or switcheroo?   The question we’ll all be asking going forward….

[sledgehammer]

"Graded" earlier this year.

https://www.cgccomics.com/certlookup/4189171001/

[Silver Surfer]

Looks like a switch, the grading notes seem inadequate. 

[MAR1979]

On 12/26/2023 at 12:55 PM, Silver Surfer said:

Same bad hairdo rug ?

fixed

[sledgehammer]

On 12/26/2023 at 12:04 PM, Silver Surfer said:

Looks like a switch, the grading notes seem inadequate. 

Agree. Both sides of the back cover are brutal.

[namisgr]

It's listed on the Exchange, in which case CLink would not have the book in hand and the ability to assess it until the book sells, when the seller must send it to the Link.

I wonder if they've unknowingly auctioned any of the fraudulent books?

Edited December 26, 2023 by namisgr

[WolverineX]

Do we have a name or business for the scammer?  Is his ebay even still up?  

[Silver Surfer]

On 12/26/2023 at 10:12 AM, sledgehammer said:

How abnormal of it, to NOT even note the insert in the title of the listing at $10K for a 9.0.

Telling?

Good pickup. I would say yes.