Summary
Italian police have dismantled a large pan-European forgery ring producing fake artworks attributed to renowned artists, including Banksy, Picasso, and Warhol.
Thirty-eight individuals across Italy, Spain, France, and Belgium are under investigation for handling stolen goods, forgery, and illegal art sales.
Authorities seized over 2,100 counterfeit pieces valued at €200 million and uncovered six forgery workshops.
The investigation began in 2023 after fake works were found in a businessman’s collection, leading to discoveries of forgeries sold in auction houses and linked to organized exhibitions.
Museums should be the prime sources of knowing which is real and which is fake.
They have the tools and knowledge to analyze.
That’s not how anything works.