Three arrests were made by the police during an operation by the Organized Crime Sub-Directorate of Northern Greece to dismantle a painting counterfeiting ring.

Of those arrested, one was allegedly the painter, who, together with the other two, approached customers for the sale of paintings that were copies of works by Greek painters.

Following information from the Directorate of Organized Crime that an exhibition of counterfeit works was being prepared, the police officers of the Northern Greece sub-directorate raided a place on Alexandrou Svolos Street, in the center of Thessaloniki.

So far, more than 100 paintings have been seized from him and from an adjacent warehouse.

Invoices were found, from which it appears that the sales prices of the projects exceeded 90,000 euros. The perpetrators were selling the fake works at auctions and police are investigating whether they had spread abroad.

A representative of the Ministry of Culture inspected the works and assured that they are fake.

Official announcements will be made after the operation is completed.