Since Chaos Rising released in May 2026 with a wave of valuable Mega Evolution ex cards and Special Illustration Rares, counterfeiters have followed the money. These aren't the obviously fake cards of a few years back: modern counterfeiters are using professional grade offset lithography and high fidelity foil layering that passes a casual glance.
What to actually check
Mega Evolution ex cards use a newer Chaos Holo texture that's difficult, though not impossible, for counterfeiters to fully replicate. The tells to look for: rough card stock, off center holographic patterns, wrong font weight in the card text, and uneven edges. None of these are visible from a listing photo alone, which is exactly the problem.
The fraud isn't limited to loose cards
A $2 million fake grading scheme was successfully prosecuted in January 2026, built on the same idea as older grading fraud: a counterfeit card gets slabbed in a convincing fake holder and sold as if it carries a real, verified grade. A slab is not proof by itself; the grading company's own lookup tool is the only way to confirm a certification number is real.
The rule that catches most of it
A steep discount on a liquid, easily priced chase card isn't a deal, it's the entire pitch of a counterfeit listing. If a Mega Evolution ex SIR is priced well under every other active comp, that gap is the red flag, not the reason to buy fast before someone else does.
Frequently asked questions
- Can a photo prove that a card is genuine?
No. Texture, stock, print alignment and edge construction need physical inspection, and certification numbers must be checked with the grader.
- Is a slab proof by itself?
No. Counterfeit holders and copied labels exist. Verify the certification record and compare its images when available.
