How to spot fake or resealed Pokémon product

One of the simplest checks is the light test. Hold the card against a strong light source. Genuine Pokémon cards have an internal core that makes them substantially more opaque, while many counterfeits let considerably more light through.

It's not a perfect test on its own, but it's a useful first filter.

A genuine Pokémon card weighs roughly 1.7g, with small variations. Some counterfeit cards are substantially lighter. For booster packs, a rough reference is approximately 18–20g for many genuine packs, while some fakes are noticeably lighter.

But here's the important part: weight is not proof of authenticity. Modern counterfeits use much better materials and may deliberately mimic the weight of genuine products. Use weight as one test, not the final verdict.

Genuine card backs have deep blue colouring, crisp printing, clean Poké Ball artwork and consistent alignment. Fakes often show washed-out or greenish blue, blurry edges, poor registration and incorrect proportions.

Comparing the suspicious card directly against a known genuine card is extremely useful.

Counterfeits often fail in tiny details. If something looks "almost right" but not quite, compare it against a known genuine card from the same era. Look closely at:

Genuine Pokémon booster packs are mechanically crimped, so look closely at the ends. Suspicious packs can show unusual seam patterns, smooth or scalloped-looking edges, uneven crimping, different foil texture or evidence of heat manipulation.

One strange seam doesn't automatically mean fake, but several abnormalities together should make you cautious.

This is harder — a professional reseal can look extremely convincing. Work through the packaging systematically.

This is one of the biggest myths in Pokémon. A pack can weigh differently for entirely legitimate reasons, and resealers can deliberately manipulate or match weights.

Weight + print + texture + seams + packaging is much stronger than weight alone.

Counterfeiters have also targeted slabs. If you're buying an expensive graded card, check the certification number, the grading company's database, the card details, the label and the slab itself. A valid certification number is important, but don't stop there.

The more expensive the product, the more important authentication becomes. Be particularly careful with:

This is one of the easiest warning signs. If a sealed product normally sells for A$400 and someone offers it at A$120 with a story about needing quick cash, don't immediately congratulate yourself on finding a bargain. Ask why it's so cheap.

A genuine bargain is possible. But an implausibly cheap price should increase your scrutiny, not reduce it.

If a product is sold to you as genuine and turns out to be counterfeit, that can constitute a breach of Australian Consumer Law. Keep receipts, screenshots, seller messages, photos, packaging and tracking information.

If necessary, pursue the retailer or platform's dispute process and report suspected scams to Scamwatch/ACCC. The safest option remains simple: buy expensive sealed product from a reputable Australian seller with a clear business identity and a returns process.

No single authentication test is perfect. Combine the light test, weight, print, texture, packaging, seller history and price.

If several things look wrong, walk away. There will always be another Pokémon product — there won't always be another opportunity to recover your money.