Sellers thought they found the perfect buyer for their prized cards, but police say he paid them in fake cash

Los Angeles police arrested 34-year-old Zachary Mitchell after finding counterfeit $100 bills and stolen cards in his car.

Trusting a stranger on the internet with your hard-earned property is always a risk. For several card collectors in Los Angeles, that risk turned into a costly nightmare.

What Happened

Between January 9 and June 9, several people tried to sell their collectible gaming cards on local websites.

A buyer agreed to meet them in person, often near bank ATMs so he looked trustworthy.

He handed over cash that looked real, but police say most of the bills were fake. The sellers did not notice until the man was already gone with their cards.

On June 11, police stopped Zachary Mitchell in Huntington Park. Inside his car, officers found fake $100 bills and stolen collectible cards.

What the money/evidence shows

The thefts took place over a 5-month period.
Police found counterfeit $100 bills in the suspect's car.
The suspect used ATM locations to trick sellers into trusting him.
Zachary Mitchell, 34, faces grand theft charges.

The Bigger Question

Collectible cards are now worth thousands of dollars, making them a prime target for thieves.

How do we keep peer-to-peer sales safe when cash can be faked so easily?

Banks and police stations often offer safe zones for transactions, but many people still do not use them.

The Other Side

Zachary Mitchell has not yet made a public statement or entered a formal plea in court.

A defense lawyer will likely question whether police can prove Mitchell knew the money was fake.

Based on the cards and cash found in his car, that defense will face a tough battle.

What Happens Now

Police believe there are more victims who have not come forward yet.

If you sold cards in Hollywood or North Hollywood and got fake cash, detectives want to hear from you.

This case shows how risky cash transactions can be for online sellers.

What We Still Don't Know

How many other card sellers fell victim to this same scheme?
Where did the fake cash come from, and who printed it?
What is the total cash value of the stolen cards?

Transparency notes

Published: Jun 18, 2026. No major post-publication update has been logged.

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Sources

External source links were not provided in this article body. Our editors reference publicly available materials and update stories as new verified information arrives.