It
took big money, patience, and a wide streak of
criminality to pull off.
Here's
one example of the scheme:
1990:
Buy the authentic Marc Chagall La Nappe
Mauve for $312,000.
1993: Have it copied by an expert forger and sell the forgery for $514,000.
1998: Sell the authentic work of art for $340,000.
GAIN OVER 8 YEARS: $854,000.
1996:
Buy the authentic Gustave Moreau L'Enlevement
de Ganymede for $285,000.
1997: Have it copied by an expert forger and sell the forgery for a $55,000
loss– price tag $229,000.
1999: Sell the authentic work of art for a bigger loss–$170,000.
GAIN OVER 3 YEARS: $399,000
And
these are just two examples in a much wider scam
charged in the criminal complaint. Other
paintings include Chagall's Les Marie au
Bouquet de Fleurs and Le Roi David Dans le Paysage
Vert; Marie Laurencin's Jeune Fille
a la Mandolin; Paul Gaugin's Vase de
Fleurs (Lilas); and Paul Klee's Palaste,
all pictured.
These
are the allegations against a well known New
York art dealer, arrested yesterday and charged
with 2 counts of wire fraud and 5 counts of mail
fraud.
The
case continues...and we need your help. Please
view the following paintings at the FBI
Art Theft Page Spotlight and call the FBI's
Brooklyn-Queens Office at 718-286-7100 if you
have any information about their whereabouts
or ownerships:
