7 Red Flags of Fake Shohei Ohtani Autographs and MLB Holograms in 2026

Quick answer: In 2026, a matching MLB or Fanatics lookup no longer proves a Shohei Ohtani autograph is genuine. Counterfeiters now copy valid old-style serials and reproduce both holograms, so the athlete and item type can match in both databases. The combination of both post-2022 MLB and Fanatics holograms each requiring a three-letter code remains the gold standard and practically guarantees authenticity, as no post-2022 fakes are documented for Ohtani. Meanwhile, basic certificate cards without database photos and high prices are routinely exploited by scammers.

PSA ranked Shohei Ohtani seventh in its 2025 Fraud Report, the highest position held by an active athlete in the report's top ten.

The fakes have changed. Old Ohtani counterfeits often carried a single fake Fanatics flag hologram. CheckCOA has now documented Angels 16x20 photos with fake copies of both Fanatics and MLB holograms, a baseball with a copied MLB serial and Angels jerseys using the same old-style dual-hologram formula.

As of September 11, 2026, the CheckCOA Fraud Alert database contains 26,558 flagged certificate records across autographs and graded cards. CheckCOA is an independent lookup aggregator and fraud registry, not an autograph authenticator. A Fraud Alert identifies a known risk attached to a certificate number; a clean result does not guarantee that the autograph is genuine.

How MLB and Fanatics responded to compromised serials

When investigating these copied serials, I contacted both Major League Baseball Authentication and Fanatics directly with clear photographs, evidence links and the exact numbers appearing on fraudulent items.

I sent MLB photographs of Fanatics A901686, MLB VS715243 and asked whether the MLB hologram was a counterfeit copy or an unauthorized reuse of a genuine serial. MLB replied with a standard canned FAQ explanation for DB licensed-product holograms, completely ignoring the reported VS number that resolves in their own database as an Ohtani autographed-photo record. MLB has not answered the actual evidence.

I also contacted Fanatics regarding counterfeit listings utilizing their serial numbers, including an Angels jersey carrying Fanatics B393570 (paired with counterfeit MLB JD124799). While Fanatics never sent a written reply, their system took action: they quietly deactivated the certificate. In the official Fanatics database, the signer name was replaced with "Please contact customer service at 1-800-689-200" a direct, silent confirmation from Fanatics that the certificate number had been compromised and abused.

The official MLB Authentication page says the 2022 hologram has a two-letter prefix, unique serial, QR code and randomized three-letter validation code. It asks collectors to send photographs when a hologram is missing or incorrectly listed.

MLB and Fanatics hologram guide for Ohtani collectors

1. A current hologram does not request its three-letter code

In 2022, both Major League Baseball and Fanatics released new hologram generations equipped with three-letter code security. MLB introduced a hologram featuring a QR code and a randomized three-letter validation code. In the same year, Fanatics rolled out its updated hologram design requiring a three-letter KeyCode revealed by tilting the sticker or scanned via dynamic QR.

When an item carries the combination of BOTH post-2022 holograms-a new MLB hologram with its validation code AND a new Fanatics hologram with its KeyCode and both pass their multi-factor lookup, it practically guarantees that the item is genuine.

Crucially, for Shohei Ohtani, there is currently not a single documented counterfeit of the post-2022 hologram generation. Counterfeiters have been unable to replicate either of the modern 2022+ formats. Instead, counterfeiters exclusively exploit pre-2022 legacy stickers (the old Fanatics flag and pre-2022 MLB serials).

The jersey shown below is an example of an authentic modern piece:

Note: The jersey above is an authentic, original example featuring both post-2022 holograms. To date, no counterfeit post-2022 holograms exist for Ohtani.

The red flag occurs when a hologram visually mimics a current generation label but bypasses the code check entirely. Counterfeiters have attempted this by printing short legacy numbers on modern-looking labels, routing the buyer through an older lookup path where no KeyCode is requested. CheckCOA documented that method on a Cristiano Ronaldo jersey using B261708 in Warning: A New Fanatics Hologram That Skips the KeyCode Is Fake.

Collector action: If a label visually belongs to the post-2022 generation, it must complete the three-letter verification step. If both MLB and Fanatics post-2022 holograms are present and verify online with their respective codes, you are looking at the safest possible authentication in the hobby. If a modern-looking label skips the code, stop immediately.

2. Two matching lookups are treated as double proof

The strongest Ohtani fakes in this case carried two copied holograms. One 16x20 used Fanatics A901685 and MLB VS715242. Another used Fanatics A901686 and MLB VS715243.

All four numbers returned records for Shohei Ohtani 16x20 photos. The pairs were sequential at both companies. A buyer could run two searches, see the correct athlete and item type twice, and conclude that the photo had passed two independent checks.

The seller thesignaturereserve sold four framed Ohtani 16x20 photos between August 19 and September 9, 2026. The visible prices were $1,907, $2,136, $1,976 and $1,910, for a combined $7,929. A new Ohtani 16x20 from the account was active again when this article was updated.

Collector action: Verify both holograms, then compare the returned signing date, image, team, item type and any available provider photograph. Matching words such as “Ohtani 16x20” do not identify the exact signed photo.

3. The sticker has the wrong width, shape or security finish

The earliest fake MLB holograms were easier to spot. They were too wide, the proportions were wrong and the circular security area looked flat. Genuine old-style MLB holograms used a narrower shape with a cleaner circular seal and sharper printing.

That simple rule is already aging. The fake VS715242 hologram copies the narrower old-style outline much more closely than the crude wide versions. The fake Fanatics flag also copies the correct general shape, but its security background, print spacing and finish differ from the genuine comparison.

Camera angle, glare and compression can change how a hologram looks. Width remains a useful first check, not a final verdict. Compare labels from the same generation at similar scale and ask for an uncompressed close-up taken under changing light.

Collector action: Reject an obviously wide or flat MLB hologram, but do not approve a label merely because it is narrow. Check print placement, holographic movement, tamper edges, QR structure and the autograph together.

4. An Angels photo or counterfeit jersey carries old-style holograms

Out or Safe?! reports that the new counterfeit activity is concentrated in Angels items, especially 16x20 photos and jerseys. The pattern fits the CheckCOA evidence.

One captured Angels jersey used old-style Fanatics and MLB labels with MLB number JD124799. Another red Angels jersey sold for $2,400 with old-style labels, including MLB VT132127. The shirt itself is a counterfeit jersey. An authentic Ohtani jersey issued through MLB/Fanatics should be an officially licensed on-field or replica jersey, not a cheap China jersey with authentication stickers added later.

This warning becomes stricter for Dodgers items. Out or Safe?! advises collectors that legitimate Dodgers-era Ohtani items should use the newer hologram generation and require the three-letter verification code. An Ohtani Dodgers jersey with an old flag label or an old MLB serial needs hard evidence explaining when and where it was signed.

Collector action: Check the jersey before the autograph. Inspect manufacturer tags, lettering, stitching, retail model and licensing. A fake jersey carrying a supposed witnessed-authentication hologram is an immediate stop sign.

5. A valid serial may have been copied from a public sale

The Out or Safe?! team told CheckCOA that the likely method is straightforward: counterfeiters collect valid numbers from public sales, then search nearby serial runs for more Ohtani records. The sequential 16x20 pairs support that explanation, although only MLB and Fanatics can confirm exactly how each number was obtained.

The counterfeiter does not need to alter a provider website. A genuine serial printed on a fake hologram makes the real database supply the reassuring result.

Counterfeit Ohtani baseball: the MLB-only hologram trap

The sold Ohtani baseball shows a specific variation of this deception. It carried MLB number JB836950, which returned an authentic Ohtani autographed-baseball record dated January 26, 2019. The ball sold for $2,360 after 66 bids.

This baseball is an example of a counterfeit autograph bearing only an MLB hologram.

Collectors must understand the signing timeline: items carrying solely an MLB hologram were only possible before Ohtani signed his exclusive memorabilia agreement with Fanatics in 2021. Following that exclusive deal, any authentic witnessed Ohtani signing will be authenticated by Fanatics (typically carrying both Fanatics and MLB holograms, or Fanatics alone).

Counterfeiters deliberately chose an older pre-contract MLB serial (JB836950 from 2019) precisely because a single MLB hologram looks historically plausible on paper. But copying that real serial onto a counterfeit sticker and applying it to a forged ball still leaves the buyer with an expensive fake.

Collector action: Search the complete serial on Google, eBay sold results and CheckCOA. Be deeply suspicious of any Ohtani item claiming to be signed without Fanatics involvement unless it genuinely dates to the pre-2021 era. Even then, verify that the physical sticker is genuine rather than a copied pre-contract serial.

6. Price is not a safety filter and basic certificates without database photos are a red flag

Many collectors believe a dangerous myth: that counterfeiters only sell at cheap, "too-good-to-be-true" discount prices, and that paying $5,000, $10,000 or $16,000 guarantees an authentic piece.

In reality, price is not an indicator of authenticity. Sophisticated counterfeiters routinely list forged items at full retail or exorbitant prices specifically to fabricate credibility and deceive serious collectors.

The PSA basic certificate illusion: $10,000 to $16,000 fakes

Consider seller mlbnsports. This account has sold mass quantities of counterfeit Shohei Ohtani autographed jerseys accompanied by basic PSA Certificate of Authenticity cards. These items did not sell cheap successful sales reached $15,999.99, $9,999.99, $7,000.00, $5,433.00 and $5,100.00.

The critical red flag here is the certificate format: basic certificate cards without a photograph in the database. For high-value, heavily forged athletes like Shohei Ohtani, legitimate authentication from reputable third-party services like PSA or Beckett requires a Full Letter of Authenticity (Full LOA) with an image of the item, or a photo-verified database entry. A basic credit-card-sized cert card does not link to a photo of the signed jersey in the database, making it trivial for scammers to forge the cert card or pair a genuine low-tier cert with a fraudulent jersey.

The Beckett A27261 evidence: one certificate across five sellers

The danger of basic certificates without photos is equally visible with Beckett Authentication Services (BAS).

Look at Beckett certificate A27261. When looked up in the Beckett database, the entry provides only generic text "Jersey / Shohei Ohtani" with "NO PHOTO ON FILE".

Counterfeiters have exploited this loophole across eBay. Seller RetroStache listed an Ohtani signed Angels jersey with Beckett A27261 for $4,250.00. But CheckCOA's Fraud Alert reveals that this exact certificate number is being reused across at least five different seller accounts on completely different jerseys, with prices ranging from $602 all the way to $9,999.99.

Whether it is mlbnsports pulling in five-figure sales with basic PSA cards or multiple sellers circulating Beckett A27261, the lesson is undeniable: basic certificates without database photos are an immediate red flag, and a high asking price will not protect you.

Collector action: Never rely on a high price tag as proof of authenticity. For third-party authenticated Ohtani items (PSA or Beckett), demand a Full Letter of Authenticity (Full LOA) or insist on a database record that includes an official photo of the exact signed item. Basic certificate cards without database photos should be treated with extreme caution.

7. The seller has repeated certificates and a wider fake inventory

CheckCOA found seven certificate numbers from thesignaturereserve reused across other seller accounts. The repeated numbers cover Michael Jordan, Victor Wembanyama, Erling Haaland, Zinedine Zidane and Neymar. The account also sold fake Michael Jordan autographs presented as Upper Deck authenticated.

Repeated certificates across accounts are a network signal. They do not prove that one person controls every linked seller, because eBay, payment providers and law enforcement hold the private account data needed for attribution. They do prove that a buyer should not judge the Ohtani listings in isolation.

The four sold Ohtani photos and the baseball reached $10,289 in visible sales. eBay's public sold history is incomplete and older records can disappear from the visible window, so that figure is a conservative snapshot rather than the account's lifetime volume.

Collector action: Open the seller's sold inventory, not only the listing in front of you. Look for repeated high-value athletes, near-sequential serials, the same framing style, fake jerseys and certificate numbers shared with other accounts.

How to verify a Shohei Ohtani autograph before buying

1. Check the hologram generation: items carrying BOTH post-2022 MLB (with 3-letter validation) and post-2022 Fanatics (with KeyCode) offer the highest assurance. No fakes of these 2022+ holograms currently exist for Ohtani.

2. Require the three-letter validation code whenever a post-2022 hologram is present; never accept a lookup path that bypasses it.

3. For items with single MLB holograms, check the signing date. Legitimate MLB-only witnessed signings only occurred before Ohtani's 2021 exclusive contract with Fanatics.

4. On PSA or Beckett items, require a Full Letter of Authenticity (Full LOA) or an official database photograph. Basic certificate cards without database photos are a major red flag regardless of price.

5. Run each number through official provider databases (MLB, Fanatics, PSA, Beckett).

6. Compare the provider result with the exact physical item, framing, inscriptions and uniform details.

7. Search the serial in the CheckCOA Fraud Registry to see if the number has been flagged, deactivated or shared across multiple seller accounts.

Frequently asked questions

Can a fake MLB hologram return a real Ohtani record?

Yes. A counterfeiter can copy a valid serial from a genuine item and print it on a fake hologram. The official MLB database will return the genuine record because the number exists, even though the sticker and autograph in the marketplace listing are fake.

Are all old-style MLB holograms fake?

No. Most old MLB holograms in existing collections are genuine. The new risk is that old-style numbers and holograms can no longer be treated as automatic proof, particularly on Ohtani Angels photos, jerseys and baseballs. Furthermore, single MLB-only holograms are only authentic on pre-2021 items signed before Ohtani's exclusive Fanatics contract.

Are post-2022 MLB and Fanatics holograms being counterfeited for Ohtani?

No. CheckCOA and Out or Safe?! have not documented a single convincing Ohtani counterfeit that replicates the post-2022 MLB or Fanatics holograms or completes the three-letter validation step. When an item has both post-2022 holograms and both codes verify online, it practically guarantees authenticity.

Why did Fanatics deactivate certificate B393570?

After reports were submitted regarding counterfeit Ohtani memorabilia circulating with valid serials, Fanatics silently deactivated compromised numbers such as B393570 (paired with fake MLB JD124799 on a counterfeit Angels jersey). In the official Fanatics database, the signer name was replaced with "Please contact customer service at 1-800-689-200", confirming that the certificate had been compromised.

Does a high price mean an Ohtani autograph is real?

No. Counterfeiters frequently price fake memorabilia between $4,000 and $16,000 to fabricate the illusion of authenticity. Sellers like mlbnsports have sold fake Ohtani jerseys with basic PSA cards for up to $15,999.99. Always insist on a Full LOA or a database record with an official photograph for third-party authenticated pieces.

Is CheckCOA an autograph authentication company?

No. CheckCOA aggregates provider lookups and adds an independent Fraud Alert check for numbers reported as fake, stolen, reused or otherwise compromised. CheckCOA does not replace a witnessed signing record or a professional opinion on the autograph itself.

When in doubt, always get a second opinion (Out or Safe?!)

When spending hundreds or thousands of dollars on sports memorabilia, especially for an ultra-high-demand athlete like Shohei Ohtani-you should never rely solely on a single sticker or an online lookup. If you have any hesitation, always seek an independent second opinion before sending payment.

During my research into these counterfeit holograms, I contacted the expert team behind Out or Safe?! Baseball Signature Review, a dedicated baseball collector community operating under Game 7 Authentics. I reached out to them regarding these copied hologram patterns, and their team was instrumental in helping review the evidence and collaborating on the findings for this article. In their newly updated Ohtani guide, they independently confirmed the exact same conclusions: counterfeiters are actively replicating valid pre-2022 MLB and Fanatics numbers onto fake Angels photos, jerseys and baseballs, while current post-2022 dual-coded holograms remain uncompromised.

If you are considering an Ohtani item or any signed baseball memorabilia, you do not have to guess. In the Out or Safe?! group, collectors can obtain a fast, qualified signature and authentication review from seasoned baseball specialists for just $6. Getting a qualified second opinion for six dollars before completing a purchase is the single most cost-effective way to protect yourself from losing thousands to sophisticated fakes.

Verify the number, then verify the item

The old buyer rule was simple: find the hologram and run the number. That is no longer enough for Shohei Ohtani.

A copied serial can produce the correct athlete, correct item type and correct signing date. Two copied serials can produce two matching results. The buyer still has to identify the hologram generation, complete the three-letter check when required, inspect the autograph and exact item, and review where the seller's other certificates appear.

Key takeaway for collectors in 2026: Look for the post-2022 dual-hologram combination with active three-letter codes for the strongest protection. If dealing with older items, basic third-party certificates or high asking prices, verify through both the official provider database and an independent fraud registry such as CheckCOA before sending payment.

Verify before you buy: https://checkcoa.com