Major Forgery Network Uncovered: European Police Crack Down on Fake Art Market
Italian police have dismantled a large-scale pan-European forgery network involved in producing and selling counterfeit artworks attributed to renowned artists including Banksy, Pablo Picasso, and Andy Warhol. Thirty-eight individuals are now under investigation across Italy, Spain, France, and Belgium, facing serious charges including conspiracy to handle stolen goods, forgery, and illegal sale of artworks.
The operation, carried out by the paramilitary Carabinieri art squad and the Pisa prosecutor's office, was described by chief prosecutor Teresa Angela Camelio as a significant step in the protection of Banksy's work. Experts from the Banksy archive participated in the investigation, underscoring the operation's importance in combating art forgery.
The notorious forgers also targeted other artistic giants from the 19th and 20th centuries, including Claude Monet, Vincent Van Gogh, Salvador Dali, Henry Moore, Marc Chagall, Francis Bacon, Paul Klee, and Piet Mondrian.
During the investigation, authorities seized over 2,100 fake pieces that are estimated to have a market value of around €200 million (approximately $165 million). The operation also led to the discovery of six forgeries workshops across Europe, including two located in Tuscany and others in Venice and beyond.
The probe commenced in 2023 following the seizure of about 200 forged artworks from a businessman's collection in Pisa, which included a copy of a painting by the Italian artist Amedeo Modigliani. The findings revealed connections to forgeries being sold by auction houses across Italy and linked to a known group that specializes in counterfeiting works by Banksy and Warhol.
To lend credibility to their activities, the suspects organized two exhibitions featuring counterfeit Banksy works, complete with a professionally published catalogue at prestigious venues in Mestre, near Venice, and Cortona, Tuscany.
Pest Control, the organization representing Banksy, has previously warned collectors about the prevalence of forgeries and advised potential buyers to be cautious when investing in Banksy's artworks. The crackdown on this expansive forgery network signifies a pivotal moment in the ongoing battle against art fraud.
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