Former NFL linebacker Blake Martinez, who retired from professional football in 2022, has been permanently banned from the online marketplace Whatnot due to his alleged involvement in fraudulent activities targeting Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) collectors.
The issue came to light when several members of the Whatnot community raised concerns about Martinez’s actions on the platform. Martinez, post-retirement, delved into the world of card trading, establishing a successful business called “Blakesbreaks” that focused on reselling rare and highly sought-after Pokémon TCG cards. Within less than a year, his company generated a staggering $11.5 million in revenue, attracting both Pokémon enthusiasts and collectors. However, this apparent success took a dark turn as reports surfaced about irregularities in Martinez’s operations.
Update: The #Panthers are working out former #Giants, #Raiders, #Packers LB Blake Martinez.
Martinez retired at age 29 to start his own Pokémon trading cards company but recently was permanently banned after allegedly scamming Pokémon collectors.
More on that here:… https://t.co/ZU5wEJBtQ9 pic.twitter.com/xxpFrYfuNB
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) October 25, 2023
The Whatnot community, known for its commitment to maintaining a safe and transparent environment for buyers and sellers, flagged suspicious activities associated with Martinez’s account. On August 4, 2023, the official Whatnot Twitter account issued a statement confirming Martinez’s and his associated account “Blakesbreaks” permanent ban from the platform. The statement emphasized the company’s dedication to ensuring a fair and honest marketplace, adhering to community guidelines, and promptly addressing trust and safety concerns. The announcement hinted at the possibility of multiple individuals being involved in the alleged misconduct.
Furthermore, when users attempted to access the Blakesbreaks Whatnot account, they were met with a notice stating, “This account has been permanently removed.” Whatnot assured victims of the alleged infractions that they would receive refunds.
A recent Reddit video shed light on one of the methods through which Blake Martinez’s company allegedly scammed collectors. Martinez began his NFL career as a fourth-round pick in the 2016 Draft with the Packers and later played for the Giants and Raiders before retiring at the age of 29.
