💨 $350 Million in Fakes: What the Hobby Still Isn’t Talking About

A massive scandal has surfaced—one of the most alarming in modern hobby history—and yet, outside a handful of headlines, the industry is barely acknowledging it.

In Indiana, memorabilia dealer Brett Lemieux—owner of MisterMancave—allegedly ran a counterfeiting operation exceeding $350 million in forged autographs and gear. Officials found millions of counterfeit items in his warehouses, complete with fake COAs, duplicated serial numbers, and bogus holograms. When confronted, Lemieux reportedly posted a detailed confession—and was later found deceased under suspicious circumstances.

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🤯 How Did It Get This Big?

Lemieux claimed to have sold over 4 million fake items during a 20-year run. His forgeries included signatures from icons like Brady, Mahomes, Kobe, and Judge—and he said he faked authentication from companies like TriStar, Fanatics, JSA, and Panini.

This wasn’t small-scale forgery—it was industrial fraud, seemingly ignored by the very systems collectors trusted.

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🧹 What Every Collector Needs to Know

• Few people verify COAs or serial numbers before buying.
• “Big name” sellers aren’t immune — and they often count on buyer ignorance.
• Witnessed signings are not foolproof.
• Authenticators like PSA and Beckett are only reliable if someone actually checks or vets the item—which many don’t.

This wasn’t one shady dealer—it was a breakdown in how the hobby evaluates the authenticity it sells.

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🧠 The Fallout: Why This Matters

This scandal raises questions about a decade’s worth of memorabilia sales. Dealers are going to face harder scrutiny. Grading companies may need to answer for past oversights. And collectors? They’re starting to realize that trust lost is hard to get back.

Some will grow cautious. Others will move on quickly. But at Columbia Sports Cards, we choose to see it as a wake-up call.

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💬 Our Take: Do the Work

If you’ve purchased signed memorabilia from events, secondary sellers, or consigned sources—double-check it. Pull that COA, verify that serial number, and trace the item's provenance. If the answers feel vague or rushed—consider walking away.

Because in the hobby, the real threat isn't just fake items—it’s how many people willingly trusted them.

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🔎 Want the Backstory?

This scandal has been discussed widely across the hobby press and podcasts. You can easily find full coverage by searching “Brett Lemieux memorabilia fraud” on YouTube or your favorite podcast platform.

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📢 Final Word

Columbia Sports Cards doesn’t sell illusions. We verify every item, vet every COA, and back every card with decades of expertise. Our promise: no hype, zero spin, just integrity.

If you’re tired of spin and done with smoke and mirrors, you’re in the right place. Shop our cards or reach out with questions. We’re here to make this hobby better—one honest conversation at a time.