Scammer sold rare whiskey and Mickey Mantle card for big money, but never delivered

An Indiana man admitted to defrauding several New Jersey victims in a scheme to obtain rare goods including whiskey, precious metals and a Mickey Mantle baseball card, officials said Wednesday. U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Brian Combs, 49, of Fishers, Indiana, pleaded guilty Tuesday in Trenton federal court to three counts of wire fraud that netted him more than $581,000 from dozens of victims.

From April 2018 to December 2023, Combs was accused of fraudulently negotiating sales with unsuspecting victims who believed he would deliver goods he did not own.

The items included rare bottles of whiskey, precious metals, silver coins and a rare collectible Mikey Mantle baseball card, authorities said.

In March 2021, an Old Bridge victim promised to trade $210,000 worth of rare and precious metal Rhodium for the Mickey Mantle baseball card, but never received the card, according to court documents.

Around May 2021, a second Short Hills victim promised to pay approximately $87,000 for a rare bottle of Macallan Red Collection scotch, according to court documents.

The victim spoke to Combs several times on the phone and Combs claimed to be an “ambassador” for the rare drink, according to court documents. But after the victim wired the money, Combs never sent the promised bottle, prosecutors wrote in court documents.

Combs frequently asked victims to wire him the money rather than pay through the online e-commerce site where the items were listed, authorities said.

That made it difficult for victims to get their payments back for items Combs was unable to deliver, authorities said.

Combs’ sentencing is scheduled for February 20, 2025.

An attorney for Combs did not immediately return a request for comment.