In addition to the 123 fake paintings, a number of other works of art were identified, for which their authenticity is being investigated.
Police today released photos of fake artworks they tried to auction off as genuine members of a criminal organization. In fact, the circuit promoted as genuine works of well-known Greek artists, such as Fasianos, Mytaras, Gikas – Hatzikyriakou, Tsarouhis, Parthenis, etc.
The police proceeded to arrest 3 people who were charged with criminal charges for participating in a criminal group active in the preparation and sale of fake works of art.
It is about a 70-year-old man, his 42-year-old daughter and a 62-year-old man who were involved today in the Thessaloniki courthouse and were referred to apologize to the investigator.
The defendants intended to sell a total of 123 fake paintings, allegedly created by famous Greek artists, in an online auction, expecting to obtain a financial benefit estimated to reach 400,000 euros.
According to the police announcement, the leading role of one of the accused, who as auction house representative he presented himself as a reputable middleman, convincing prospective buyers of the value of counterfeits, taking advantage of the recognition of the creator of the artwork, thus reaping large sums of money.
It was further established that, yesterday 5-12-2024, -123- works of art would be auctioned online by the house in question, for which, however, an employee of the National Gallery, stated that they were obviously fakes.
In addition to the 123 fake paintings, a number of other works of art were identified for which their authenticity and origin are being investigated.
From the physical searches so far, as well as searches that have been carried out in the said Auction House, houses and in 4 workshops for the manufacture of fake paintings, the following were found and confiscated:
-930- works of art,
-6- block of receipts for the purchase and sale of works of art of the auction house,
-10- checkbook and cheque, -10- bank deposit books, -4- money transfer documents, -2- money withdrawal slips,
-4- cards, -20- stamps,
sales order approval printout for the amount of 1,500 euros,
-3- printed catalogs of the auction house, where works of art and their photographs are listed
documents and prints related to the case under consideration and a number of handwritten notes,
-4- hard storage drives, -2- laptops, metal magnifying glass,
a variety of painting items with paint residues (oil paints, water oils, plastic paints, brushes, etc.),
air pistol and metal package containing five hundred
-500- lead airgun projectiles,
-57- photographs of works of art and
-3- mobile phones.
Those arrested with the case filed against them for, as the case may be, criminal organization, fraud, forgery, acceptance and disposal of proceeds of crime, as well as violations of the legislation on the protection of antiquities professionally and as a follow-up, were taken to the competent prosecuting authority.
Source: Skai
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