A 82-year-old man named Mayo Gilbert Niel from Denver has been charged with plotting to commit wire fraud after he allegedly sold fake Michael Jordan basketball cards worth more than $800,000
Mayo Gilbert Niel is accused of making a number of shady deals starting in 2015. In 2019, he sold a fake card for $4,500 to a victim in New York. In 2017, he also traded fake cards for two real Tom Brady football cards.
Mayo Gilbert Niel accused of selling fake Michael Jordan cards worth $800,000 over four years
Prosecutors say Mayo Gilbert Niel made the fakes look real by getting the plastic holders and grading labels that major authentication companies for collectors use. One of the cards he made was a 1986 Fleer Michael Jordan rookie card that was falsely graded as a “10 out of 10.”
Probably too soon in view of SVB and Mayo Gilbert McNeil…but hey. pic.twitter.com/goy7vtm7xu
— Paul Lesko (@Paul_Lesko) March 11, 2023
He allegedly made trades online with the help of an unnamed co-conspirator and used a fake ID and multiple email accounts to obscure his identity.
Andy Vermaut shares:An octogenarian Coloradan made over $800,000 off fake Michael Jordan cards, complaint says: The 82-year-old Mayo Gilbert McNeil was arrested in Denver after a complaint was unsealed charging him with conspiracy to commit… https://t.co/8PA6WRRAvU Thank you. pic.twitter.com/OHICfL5uAB
— Andy Vermaut (@AndyVermaut) March 9, 2023
“Mr. McNeil defrauded sports memorabilia collectors of more than $800,000 by intentionally misrepresenting the authenticity of the trading cards he was peddling when, in fact, they were counterfeit,” said Michael Driscoll, assistant director-in-charge of the FBI’s New York field office.
Mayo Gilbert Niel released without bail after being charged
Mayo Gilbert Niel was arrested in Denver after a complaint was opened in federal court in Brooklyn. Charging him with conspiracy to commit wire fraud. After his first court appearance in US District Court in Colorado, he was let go without bail. He will be charged in the Eastern District of New York at a later date.
What? Another case involving 1986 Fleer MJs?
Yes, it looks like the US government is going to prosecute Mayo Gilbert McNeil for "knowingly and intentionally conspir[ing] to devise a scheme" to defraud other by selling counterfeit cards…including 1986 Fleer MJs. pic.twitter.com/WHfbSyCR8n
— Paul Lesko (@Paul_Lesko) March 8, 2023
In a statement from the Department of Justice, U.S. Attorney Breon Peace said, “Protection from fraud extends to all consumers, regardless of what team they root for.”
This Mayo Gilbert Niel case shows how important it is to check the authenticity of collectibles before buying them. Fake items can look very real, so collectors need to be careful not to be fooled.
What are Michael Jordan cards?
People who collect sports memorabilia and people who like basketball both want Michael Jordan cards. The legendary basketball player is shown on these cards, which are highly valued for being rare. Some of the most valuable Michael Jordan cards include his 1986 Fleer rookie card, 1997 Metal Universe Precious Metal Gems Red, and 1984-1985 Star Co. Michael Jordan.
In the past few years, the value of Michael Jordan cards has gone through the roof. Because of this, fakers like Mayo Gilbert Niel have tried to take advantage of the demand. They make fake cards that are hard to tell apart from the real thing. Collectors should be careful when buying Michael Jordan cards.
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