Cross-border investigation breaks up major art forgery network
Police in Belgium, Italy, France and Spain have broken up a large network of art forgers. A total of 38 people have been charged and more than 2,000 fake works of art seized worth a potential 200 million euros, European judicial cooperation service Eurojust reported on Monday.
Investigators found some 200 fake artworks during a search in Italy in March 2023. The subsequent investigation revealed the existence of a network of forgers in Belgium, Spain and France working with complicit auction houses in Italy to sell the works.
European investigation warrants were issued against six suspects in Belgium, Spain and France. The inquiry led to the discovery of forgery studios and the seizure of fake works of art and more than 500 falsified certificates and authenticity seals.
Market disruption avoided
The forgers faked works by artists such as Banksy, Warhol, Picasso, Bacon, Klimt, Monet, van Gogh and Dalí. Italian experts estimate the art would have fetched 200 million euros if it had been sold at auction.
To make the auctions credible, exhibitions were organised in advance and catalogues were published.
The authorities avoided a major disruption of the art auction industry by preventing these works from entering the market, Eurojust said in a statement. All the items seized have been handed to the Italian authorities for further analysis.
The Belgian part of the investigation was handled by the judicial authorities in Walloon Brabant and the local police zone covering Lasne, La Hulpe and Rixensart.
© PHOTO EUROJUST
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