One of the biggest networks of art forgers copying works by Warhol, Banksy and Picasso has been broken up by the Italian authorities.
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00:00Italian authorities say they have dismantled a network of European art forgers who sold
00:07fake artworks with a potential market value of about 200 million euros.
00:13Authorities on Monday said the suspects made fake Waohs, Pankys and Picassos and then tried
00:18to sell them to unsuspecting buyers.
00:21Italy's special art police said the seizures in four countries included France, Spain and
00:27Belgium and netted about 2,100 fake works that could have done massive economic damage.
00:35According to officials, the investigation began in 2023 when Italian authorities discovered
00:40200 fakes during the search of the home of a pizza businessman.
00:46The investigation then prompted them to monitor e-commerce sites of auction houses to see
00:51if others were involved in the network.
00:54Authorities say 38 people have been placed under investigation over the fraud.