Counterfeit Card Alert: Simplified Chinese Umbreon Gem Pack Alt Art
Posted on 3/12/2026
In October 2022, The Pokémon Company International introduced the long-awaited Simplified Chinese language expansion to the Pokémon TCG. In addition to normal expansion packs, the Simplified Chinese Pokémon TCG offers “Gem Pack” sets, which are exclusive to the Simplified Chinese market. These Gem Pack volumes contain new “Gem Rare” cards, which have exclusive holo designs and never-before-seen alternate art cards of various Pokémon, including favorites like Pikachu, Gengar and Eevee.
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| An authentic Simplified Chinese Umbreon Alt Art graded CGC Gem Mint 10 Click images to enlarge. |
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Gem Pack Volume 2 was released in May 2025 and features Eevee and its evolutions. The set contains four exclusive alternate art cards of Eevee, Sylveon, Leafeon and Umbreon, and all four cards are highly desirable. Umbreon, especially, has become increasingly popular in recent years due to the releases of its alternate arts in Evolving Skies and Prismatic Evolutions — both of which fetch thousands of dollars on the secondary market. Its exclusive Simplified Chinese card is no exception; the alternate-art card fetches hundreds of dollars in online auctions.
Unfortunately, Umbreon’s high price point makes it a prime target for counterfeiters looking to make a quick profit. Recently, CGC received a submission containing a purported Umbreon, Pokémon (2025) Simplified Chinese Gem Pack Vol. 2 – 06 15/15 Art Rare. While the card looks legitimate at first glance, our graders noticed some inconsistencies that revealed this Umbreon to be a forgery.
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| A counterfeit Simplified Chinese Umbreon (left) and a genuine example (right). Click images to enlarge. |
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One such inconsistency is immediately apparent just by looking at the two cards side by side. Umbreon’s closed eye (on the left side) is distinctly noticeable on the genuine card by a thick black line detailing the eyelid. This is completely missing on the fake card, making it look like Umbreon has no second eye at all. Other missing details, such as shading and deeper line art depicting the Pokémon’s toes and tail curve, make the fake card’s artwork look flat.
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| Close-up images of Umbreon on the counterfeit card (left) and a genuine example (right). Click images to enlarge. |
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The holo patterns on the genuine and counterfeit cards also differ drastically. The real Umbreon card has a holofoil layer that shines in a bar-like pattern that reflects diagonally off the light. On the counterfeit example, the holofoil layer doesn’t shine brightly and reflects fewer “bars” when held to the light.
Simplified Chinese Pokémon TCG cards have a small security stamp in the bottom left-hand corner of every card, making it easy to tell whether a card is a forgery or genuine. If we look closely at the genuine Umbreon, the security stamp is easily visible on the silver edge of the card, right underneath the set symbol. The counterfeit card has no such stamp.
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| A close-up image of the counterfeit card (left), which is lacking a stamp, and the genuine example (right) with a clear image of its stamp. Click images to enlarge. |
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CGC grading experts use various ultraviolet lighting to pinpoint issues with possible counterfeit cards. By setting the counterfeit card beside the genuine example under UV lighting, we can see that the UV rays react differently on each card’s surface. The counterfeit card appears lighter and washed out, while the genuine example appears vibrant.
Turning the cards over, we can see that the UV light also reacts differently to both cards’ backs. The counterfeit card is lighter and seems to almost glow under the UV rays, while the genuine example appears normally.
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| Images of the counterfeit Umbreon (left) and a genuine Umbreon (right) under UV lighting.Click images to enlarge. | |
These red flags on the counterfeit card helped CGC’s card experts determine that it was not a genuine example. It’s important to exercise caution when purchasing ungraded cards, especially valuable cards like this Umbreon. Cards certified by CGC are guaranteed to be authentic and not overgraded under the CGC Guarantee. For more information, go here.
About CGC
Since revolutionizing comic book grading in 2000, CGC has grown to include certification services for a vast variety of pop culture collectibles. These divisions include CGC Cards, CGC Video Games and CGC Home Video. CGC Cards provides expert card grading for sports cards, TCGs and non-sports cards. CGC Video Games is dedicated to video game grading for the most popular consoles, including Nintendo, Sega, Atari, PlayStation and more. CGC Home Video provides expert VHS grading in addition to other types of videocassettes, DVD, Blu-ray and more. CGC also offers seamless solutions for autograph collectors with CGC Signature Series and JSA Authentic Autograph services.
CGC is part of the Certified Collectibles Group, a global provider of expert and impartial authentication and grading services for collectibles. Since 1987, the Certified Collectibles Group companies have certified more than 110 million collectibles, including coins, banknotes, comic books, cards, autographs and stamps.
