The case with them fake paintings of famous painters It is already counting 13 arrests and two prison, and today there are eight defendants’ threshold.
The two who have already been detained after their apologies last Saturday are a father and son, and the mother is also accused of the same case.
A police officer who was presented as a buyer and led to the discovery of warehouses and houses where the fake paintings were stored in Pagrati and Menidi.
The anonymous complaint
The investigation began with an anonymous complaint, according to which four people were in possession and sold, as genuine, fake paintings of famous painters – both Greeks and foreigners.
The police investigation revealed that, in addition to the father and son, the circuit was organized into groups: one that took advantage of the antique shops for the disposal of fake projects and a second that communicated with prospective buyers.
To persuade the “authenticity” of the works, they even presented certificates of authenticity – which proved to be fake.
They were asking for millions for fake works
Fraud began to unfold in late May, when the police buyer approached two members of the circuit. He was suggested to buy a Picasso table, initially for 100 million euros (!), With appointments even in a tire change store. Eventually they went down to 25m euros, stating that they would receive a 20% commission, while the rest would go to the project owner.
The police officer then met with other members of the circuit, this time in an antique shop in Melissia, where he was presented by paintings by Virgo and Mytaras, insisting they were authentic. It is noteworthy that Virgo’s works fall within the provisions of the Cultural Heritage Act.
The demonstration of counterfeit works continued in Pagrati, where he was shown by Byzantine icons, and also led him to a warehouse with paintings by Pollock and Monet, for which they demanded 20,000 and 25,000 euros respectively.
Ignoring the true status of the police officer, his defendants revealed the existence of a second warehouse, this time in Menidi, offering him five Virgo paintings and two Byzantine images for 150,000 euros.
The appointment that led to arrests
The crucial appointment was made for June 10, when it would be the “sale”. At the same time, authorities had set up an operation to arrest those involved.
The beginning was in Elliniko, at a time when two defendants handed Picasso Picasso to the police officer. There were boats in houses and arrests, and a fully equipped laboratory for fake artwork was found with a special aging oven, so that the tables look old and therefore authentic in the eyes of prospective buyers.