More than 2,100 pieces of counterfeit art have been seized and nearly 40 people are under investigation for allegedly buying, forging and marketing art from more than 30 famous artist including Francis Bacon, Bansky, Salvador Dali, Wassily Kandinsky, Gustav Klimt, Joan Mirò, Amedeo Modigliani, Claude Monet, Henry Moore, Pablo Picasso, Vincent Van Gogh and Andy Warhol to name a few.
The market value of the seized fake artwork is estimated at about $215 million USD (200 million euros).
Italian authorities are investigating 38 people in Italy, France, Belgium and Spain on suspicions of conspiracy to handle stolen goods, illegal sales and forgery of the artwork.
Authorities began the investigation last year when they discovered 200 fake pieces while searching a home of a businessman in Pisa. The investigation is still in its early stages.
By - FZ
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