Italian police dismantle forgery network reproducing works by Warhol, Picasso, and Banksy

Spread the love


Italian police have dismantled a European forgery network specializing in counterfeit artworks by prominent artists such as Andy Warhol, Pablo Picasso, and Banksy.

Although these artifacts were imitations, their estimated market value could have reached €200 million, according to DPA.

Arrest warrants were issued for 38 suspects in Italy, Spain, and Belgium, who now face charges related to handling stolen goods, forgery, and the sale of counterfeit art. Among the over 2,100 seized items were numerous sculptures, as reported by Italy’s Carabinieri art crime unit.

The network, which largely focused on reproductions of Warhol’s and Banksy’s works, was uncovered after police seized over 200 counterfeit artifacts from a dealer in Pisa, including a replica of Caryatid by Amedeo Modigliani. This discovery led authorities to additional forgery workshops, DPA reports.

The confiscated works also included replicas of pieces by Gustav Klimt, Marc Chagall, Claude Monet, Paul Klee, Vincent van Gogh, and Salvador Dalí. Police added that the forgers had arranged deals with auction houses, and some of the replicas had already been sold through these channels, according to Carabinieri.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

WORLD

Hungarian Pensioners to Receive Food Vouchers Worth 30,000 Forints

Spread the love

Spread the loveThis autumn, Hungarian pensioners will be receiving food vouchers worth 30,000 forints (around €75.50), as announced in a new government decree published in the official gazette on Monday evening. These vouchers, which will be sent out by the Hungarian Post by October 15 at the latest, can be used to buy essential food […]

Read More
SPORT WORLD

Hulk Hogan, Legendary Wrestler and Pop Culture Icon, Dies at 71

Spread the love

Spread the loveThe wrestling community is in deep sorrow after the passing of Hulk Hogan, one of the sport’s most legendary figures. He died at the age of 71 due to cardiac arrest at his home in Florida, as reported by various outlets including TMZ and People. Born on August 11, 1953, Hogan rose to […]

Read More
TECH WORLD

Meta to Ban Political Ads Across EU Platforms Starting October

Spread the love

Spread the loveMeta has made a significant announcement: starting this October, it will prohibit all political advertising across its platforms in the European Union. The company cites legal uncertainties and operational challenges arising from new EU transparency regulations as the driving factors behind this decision. This move, disclosed on Friday, impacts Facebook, Instagram, Threads, and […]

Read More