Vinath Oudomsine, 31, applied for funding from a Covid support scheme on behalf of a fake company and received $85,000, most of which he spent on the mint condition Charizard card.

He was sentenced to 36 months’ imprisonment after pleading guilty to one count of wire fraud. He was also fined $10,000 and ordered to pay restitution of $85,000.

Philip Wislar, acting special agent in charge of FBI Atlanta, said: “Covid-19 disaster relief loans are issued by the government to help businesses struggling to survive during a pandemic, not to use for trivial collectible items.

“This sentence highlights the FBI’s commitment to aggressively pursue anyone who would abuse taxpayer dollars and divert them from citizens who desperately need them.”