Three arrested for selling fake Greek artworks as originals

In Greece, the police reported the arrest of three individuals on December 5, 2024, in northern Greece amidst a major art forgery scheme. The arrests were initiated on the eve of a planned live auction involving 123 pieces of artwork, all of which were claimed to be original creations by renowned Greek artists. An expert from Greece's National Gallery assessed the artworks and determined all to be forgeries, thus prompting authorities to intervene before the auction could occur. The suspects include two men, aged 62 and 70, along with a 42-year-old woman, who have been charged with multiple counts of forgery, as well as attempting to sell items tied to criminal activities. Following their arrest, police conducted searches at the auction house in Thessaloniki and at four other locations where the suspected forgeries were produced, leading to the seizure of over 800 additional artworks, all under scrutiny for authenticity. The planned auction had the potential to raise between 288,000 and 398,000 euros ($305,000 and $421,000), as the artworks included works by acclaimed 20th-century artists like Yannis Gaitis, Nikos Hadjikyriakos-Ghikas, and Alekos Fassianos, whose pieces are highly sought after by collectors. Due to the popularity and value of such artwork, the implications of this case extend beyond local concerns and highlight the broader issues of art fraud and authenticity within the global art market. Ultimately, this incident raises significant questions about the integrity of the art auction process and the potential for art forgery to undermine the credibility of legitimate artists and galleries alike. The authorities' thorough actions reflect a commitment to maintaining the credibility of the art community, indicating a zero-tolerance stance on art crime as they continue to investigate the whereabouts and legitimacy of numerous other artworks seized in this case.