Printing and layout
Incorrect fonts, spacing, borders, symbols, text alignment, and artwork crops can indicate that a card does not match its claimed printing.
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Not sure whether your Pokémon card is real?
One photograph rarely settles it. Here is what actually matters when a card is in question — and if it turns out to be fake, rarvo will pay you for it.
What can make a card suspicious?
Surface and foil
Texture, foil movement, shine direction, and reflective behavior may differ from genuine examples. These features vary by printing and cannot be reduced to one universal rule.
Back and edges
Color, registration, edge construction, thickness, and visible layers can provide useful evidence, particularly when compared with the correct language and printing.
History and context
Where the card came from, whether several identical cards appeared together, and whether its price or seller behavior was unusual can help determine how closely it should be reviewed.
No single sign above proves that a card is genuine or counterfeit.
What a complete capture looks like
Front photograph, flat and centered
Whole card in frame, square to the camera, no crop.
Back photograph, flat and centered
Same framing as the front, so the two can be compared.
Front under direct light
A single light source that reveals surface texture and gloss.
Short tilt video
A few seconds of slow tilt so foil and shine behavior are visible.
Clear edge photographs
Close on the edge so layers and construction are legible.
Card name, set, number, and language
The exact printing matters more than the character on the card.
Where the card came from
Seller, marketplace, trade, pack, or collection history.
Why you are concerned
What you noticed, in your own words.
We pay for genuine cards too
Knowing what real looks like is half the problem.
Detection means knowing the boundary between real and fake. Genuine references from different sets, languages, years, and production runs are as valuable to the library as the counterfeits — and they are on the wanted list at the same rates.
Contribute a genuine cardFrequently asked questions
Will rarvo tell me whether my card is real?
Accepted bounty submissions receive rarvo’s assessment as part of review. It is an advisory opinion, not a certification, a grade, or a guarantee. For a high-value card, professional grading is still the final word.
How much do you pay?
Accepted digital cases pay $5-15. Mailed counterfeit cards pay $15-40 plus reimbursed shipping. Featured bounty cards pay the amount posted on the board. Payment is for accepted, unique submissions only.
Do you only want fake cards?
No. Genuine, counterfeit, suspected counterfeit, and uncertain cards are all useful when they include a complete capture and honest provenance.
Can I submit a graded card?
Yes. Include clear photographs of the entire holder, label, certification number, card front, card back, and any area that concerns you.
What happens to my photographs?
Submitted media is stored privately and used to build and improve authentication systems. rarvo does not publish your photographs, your name, or your personal details.
Is this affiliated with Pokémon?
No. rarvo is independent and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by The Pokémon Company, The Pokémon Company International, Nintendo, Creatures Inc., or Game Freak.