16

June

Beware: Leaf Trading Cards NSCC SCAM

**This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated**

The promotional offers from Leaf Trading Cards during The National Sports Collectors Convention may not be what they seem. 

At the 2018 show in Cleveland, Leaf employee Joe Clemons CLEANED UP when he got at least 43 of 120 serial numbered 1/1 cards that were advertised as a promotion to collectors. 

Update:
A second Leaf employee, Adam Berk, has sold 23 of the 1/1 Gold & Gold Super cards.

Sold for $499 by a Leaf employee

Attendees who opened a box of 2018 Leaf In The Game Used or 2018 Leaf Pop Century received a two-card pack of 1948 Leaf Metal cards.

Here was the supposed breakdown:
Courtesy RadiCards

60 card set
2 cards per pack
13 parallels
1/1 parallels Gold & Gold Super
1/1 Printing plates

"I don't believe the 1 of 1 plates were included in the packs," Gray said in an email exchange with Sports Card Radio. 

Many of the printing plates from the set have been found on eBay from various sellers.

The most valuable cards in the set were the 1/1 Gold & Gold Super parallels. 

Sports Card Radio obtained data that shows Clemons ended up with over 43 of those 1/1 cards. Many went on to be graded by Beckett Grading Services (BGS) and were sold on eBay under his account wjc75056.

-Joe Clemons BGS Order PDF-

Clemons is a former BGS employee currently embroiled in a separate scandal involving his former employer.

Joe Clemons

Collectors have discovered Clemons has an uncanny ability to get perfect 'Black Label' and 'Pristine' scores when he grades cards through BGS. His overall numbers appear to defy logic and math.

> Former BGS & Current Leaf Employee Joe Clemons Grading Scam

This trend has held true in the data Sports Card Radio recently analyzed.

Clemons had BGS grade 136 Leaf promo cards on Oct 4th, 2018, and received 21 "Black Label" 10's, 67 "Pristine" 10's, and 48 BGS 9.5's.

-Joe Clemons BGS Order PDF-

Leaf owner Brian Gray wrote on the Blowout Forum:

"We gave away a little more than half the packs that were made. On the Sunday of the show, we sold the remaining packs to a number of people including Tom Fish from Blowout, Joe and more. At least 10 different dealers were offered the chance to buy remaining packs BEFORE Joe was allowed to buy the remaining after those guys took what they wanted."  

But it was Clemons who ended up with 43 of 120 1/1 Gold or Gold Super cards. The best cards available in the packs. 

"I can share that Joe (Clemons) only worked in the buying section of Leaf’s booth at that event, nowhere near or in control of the packs. Two other Leaf employees were the custodians of these packs," Gray said in the above mentioned email exchange with Sports Card Radio.

Brian Gray

Gray wasn't sure how many promotional packs he sold to Clemons.

The only other eBay account that has sold the 1/1 Gold or Gold Super promotion cards in large quantity is eBay user kingofswing97

To date, 23 of the Gold or Gold Super 1/1 cards have been sold through kingofswing97. Only Clemons has sold more.

There appear to be some links between Clemons and kingofswing97. 

For example, kingofswing97 is following both Clemons and Leaf on eBay.

The same scanner was likely used to list Clemons and kingofswing97 Gold & Super 1/1's. 

Check out this photo comparison.  The Mariano Rivera Gold Super 1/1 was sold on Clemons account, wjc75056.  The Lavar Ball 1/1 Gold Super was sold by kingofswing97.

Update:
kingofswing97 has been discovered to be Leaf employee Adam Berk.
Evidence: Post 1 - Post 2 - Post 3

This promo scandal has prompted a supposed employee handbook change at Leaf. 

"To alleviate any future concern, we put a policy in place to prevent even the appearance of impropriety, no longer selling any cards of any kind to employees under any circumstance," says Gray. 

2019 has been rough on Gray and Clemons. Both have had their integrity questioned throughout the Blowout Forum thread detailing the Clemons BGS scandal. 

However, Gray continues to stand by Clemons despite mounting evidence of his involvement in multiple scandals.

"I am fully aware of your motives and desire to report anything that might get you clicks. I stand by the fact that the packs were sold in an arms length transaction where the buyer had no idea what cards were still contained in packs," said Gray. 


-Joe Clemons BGS Order PDF-

1st Page Example

Sold by Clemons:

TERRY BRADSHAW 2018 LEAF ORIGINALS METAL '48 GOLD PRISMATIC SUPERFRACTOR 1/1

CHLOE KIM 2018 LEAF ORIGINALS METAL '48 GOLD PRISMATIC SUPERFRACTOR 1/1

CHLOE KIM 2018 LEAF ORIGINALS METAL '48 GOLD PRISMATIC REFRACTOR 1/1

JOSE CANSECO 2018 LEAF ORIGINALS METAL '48 GOLD PRISMATIC SUPERFRACTOR 1/1

DOYLE BRUNSON 2018 LEAF ORIGINALS METAL '48 GOLD SUPERFRACTOR 1/1 BGS 9.5 GEM (serial #0010851828)

DANIEL NEGREANU 2018 LEAF ORIGINALS METAL '48 GOLD SUPERFRACTOR 1/1 BGS 9.5 GEM (serial #0010851823)

MARIANO RIVERA 2018 LEAF ORIGINALS METAL '48 GOLD PRISMATIC SUPERFRACTOR 1/1

FRANK THOMAS 2018 LEAF METAL ORIGINALS '48 GOLD SUPERFRACTOR 1/1 BGS 9.5 GEM (serial #0010851035)

MANON RHEAUME 2018 LEAF ORIGINALS METAL '48 GOLD PRISMATIC SUPERFRACTOR 1/1

FRANK THOMAS 2018 LEAF ORIGINALS METAL '48 GOLD PRISMATIC REFRACTOR 1/1

SHOHEI OHTANI 2018 LEAF ORIGINALS METAL GOLD SUPERFRACTOR ROOKIE CARD 1/1 BGS 10 (serial #0010851702)

JOSH ROSEN 2018 LEAF ORIGINALS METAL '48 GOLD PRISMATIC REFRACTOR ROOKIE RC 1/1

HAKEEM OLAJUWON 2018 LEAF ORIGINALS METAL '48 GOLD REFRACTOR 1/1 BGS 9.5 GEM (serial #0010851838)

LAVAR BALL 2018 LEAF ORIGINALS METAL GOLD REFRACTOR ROOKIE CARD RC 1/1 BGS 10 (serial #0010851754)

LIANGELO BALL 2018 LEAF ORIGINALS METAL GOLD REFRACTOR RC 1/1 BGS 10 QUAD BLACK LABEL (serial #0010851652)

MAGIC JOHNSON 2018 LEAF ORIGINALS METAL '48 GOLD REFRACTOR 1/1 BGS 9.5 GEM MINT (serial #0010851841)

DERRIUS GUICE 2018 LEAF ORIGINALS METAL '48 GOLD SUPERFRACTOR ROOKIE 1/1 BGS 10 (serial #0010851701)

ROY JONES JR. 2018 LEAF ORIGINALS METAL '48 GOLD SUPERFRACTOR 1/1 BGS 9.5 GEM (serial #0010851832)

ERROL SPENCE JR. 2018 LEAF ORIGINALS METAL '48 GOLD SUPERFRACTOR 1/1 BGS 10 (serial #0010851753)

SHOHEI OHTANI 2018 LEAF ORIGINALS METAL '48 GOLD REFRACTOR ROOKIE CARD RC 1/1

BOBBY HULL 2018 LEAF ORIGINALS METAL '48 GOLD SUPERFRACTOR 1/1 BGS 9.5 GEM MINT (serial #0010851825)

BAKER MAYFIELD 2018 Leaf Originals Metal Gold Refractor RC 1/1 BGS 9.5 GEM MINT (serial #0010830765)

Currently for sale by Clemons:

SAM DARNOLD 2018 Leaf Originals Metal '48 Gold Refractor Rookie Card RC 1/1

SHAQUILLE O'NEAL 2018 Leaf Originals Metal '48 Gold Prismatic Superfractor 1/1

STEPHEN CURRY 2018 Leaf Originals Metal '48 Gold Prismatic Refractor 1/1

RONALD ACUNA 2018 Leaf Originals Metal '48 Gold Prismatic Superfractor RC 1/1

PELE 2018 Leaf Originals Metal '48 Gold Superfractor 1/1 BGS 9.5 GEM MINT (serial #0010851822)

NICO HISCHIER 2018 Leaf Originals Metal Gold Superfractor Rookie RC 1/1 BGS 9.5 (serial #0010851826)

BEN AFFLECK 2018 Leaf Originals Metal '48 Gold Superfractor 1/1 BGS 9.5 GEM MINT (serial #0010851834)

JOE VELENO 2018 Leaf Originals Metal '48 Gold Superfractor Rookie RC 1/1 BGS 9.5 (serial #0010851830)

HOPE SOLO 2018 Leaf Originals Metal '48 Gold Superfractor 1/1 BGS 9.5 GEM MINT (serial #0010851829)

CLYDE DREXLER 2018 Leaf Originals Metal '48 Gold Superfractor 1/1 BGS 9.5 GEM (serial #0010851824)

Sold by kingofswing97:

WADE BOGGS 2018 LEAF METAL ORIGINALS GOLD PRISMATIC REFRACTOR 1/1 - RED SOX

PETE ROSE 2018 LEAF METAL ORIGINALS GOLD PRISMATIC REFRACTOR 1/1 - REDS

DOYLE BRUNSON 2018 LEAF METAL ORIGINALS GOLD PRISMATIC REFRACTOR 1/1 - POKER

DANIEL NEGREANU 2018 LEAF METAL ORIGINALS GOLD PRISMATIC REFRACTOR 1/1 - POKER

ANFERNEE SIMONS 2018 LEAF METAL ORIGINALS GOLD SUPERFRACTOR PRISMATIC 1/1

TERRY BRADSHAW 2018 LEAF METAL ORIGINALS GOLD PRISMATIC REFRACTOR 1/1 - STEELERS

WADE BOGGS 2018 LEAF METAL ORIGINALS GOLD SUPERFRACTOR PRISMATIC 1/1 - RED SOX

MO BAMBA 2018 LEAF METAL ORIGINALS GOLD REFRACTOR PRISMATIC 1/1 - ORLANDO MAGIC

LAMELO BALL 2018 LEAF METAL ORIGINALS GOLD REFRACTOR PRISMATIC 1/1 - LONZO BRO

LAVAR BALL 2018 LEAF METAL ORIGINALS GOLD SUPERFRACTOR PRISMATIC 1/1 - LONZO DAD

DENNIS RODMAN 2018 LEAF METAL ORIGINALS GOLD SUPERFRACTOR PRISMATIC 1/1 - BULLS

LAMELO BALL 2018 LEAF METAL ORIGINALS GOLD SUPERFRACTOR PRISMATIC 1/1

BOB GRIESE 2018 LEAF METAL ORIGINALS GOLD SUPERFRACTOR PRISMATIC 1/1 - DOLPHINS

ERROL SPENCE JR 2018 LEAF METAL ORIGINALS GOLD PRISMATIC REFRACTOR 1/1 - BOXING

Currently for sale by kingofswing97:

EARL CAMPBELL 2018 LEAF METAL ORIGINALS GOLD PRISMATIC REFRACTOR 1/1 - OILERS

EARL CAMPBELL 2018 LEAF METAL ORIGINALS GOLD SUPERFRACTOR PRISMATIC 1/1 - OILER

SHAWN KEMP 2018 LEAF METAL ORIGINALS GOLD SUPERFRACTOR PRISMATIC 1/1 - SONICS

BO JACKSON 2018 LEAF METAL ORIGINALS GOLD SUPERFRACTOR PRISMATIC 1/1 - ROYALS

CARLI LLOYD 2018 LEAF METAL ORIGINALS GOLD SUPERFRACTOR PRISMATIC 1/1 - SOCCER

ANFERNEE SIMONS 2018 LEAF METAL ORIGINALS GOLD REFRACTOR PRISMATIC 1/1 - BLAZERS

CLYDE DREXLER 2018 LEAF METAL ORIGINALS GOLD REFRACTOR PRISMATIC 1/1 - BLAZERS

RANDY JOHNSON 2018 LEAF METAL ORIGINALS GOLD PRISMATIC REFRACTOR 1/1 - MARINERS

About the author 

SportsCardRadio

  • Thank You very much for reporting on all of these scams. It’s is very helpful to educated consumers and sellers.

  • I have a Larry bird and magic Johnson legends of sport leaf card. Bgs 9.5 and 10 auto. Card has dual autos of both of the superstar nba players and best nba rivals ever to play the game. Also the card is only numbered 2/2 in the world. I don’t know what the card is worth but it has to be worth a pretty penny. 2012 leaf legends of sport bgs 9.5 10 auto. Dual auto of Larry bird and magic Johnson card numbered 2/2 if anybody knows let me know please thank you

  • What I haven’t heard anyone mention in any of this PWCC, BGS and PSA scandal is if they aren’t catching trimmed and altered cards, how are you sure they aren’t grading and not catching reprint cards? They make very nice reprints. Any thoughts on that?

  • Maybe this is why, after coming back for 6 of these packs from purchases of Leaf ITG Used, the best thing I pulled was an Elway /20.
    Shame on you Leaf. I have been a huge proponent of your products for the past 18 months. Even when people have told me they are unlicensed crap with no resale value. After all the recent findings, I may never purchase another modern Leaf product again.

  • There is no graphite on the ground, you all are delusional and need taken to the infirmity. Only 3.6 roentgen in those blowout threads which is not great but not terrible either. There is no grading/trimming/backdooring/shilling scandals either, everything is on the up and up in this hobby. Leaf and Joe are out there doing the lords work, people are just jealous.

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