Major Art Forgery Ring Busted in Italy

Wed Oct 22 2025 08:06:14 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Italian authorities dismantle European network producing fake masterpieces, including works by Banksy, Warhol, and Picasso.

In a major crackdown, Italian police have arrested 38 individuals from a criminal network responsible for producing over 2,100 forged artworks. The forgeries, including pieces by renowned artists like Banksy and Andy Warhol, were valued at around €200 million. Authorities discovered six forgery workshops across Europe, with the effort hailed as a significant protection for Banksy's creations.

Italian authorities have announced the bust of a significant European art forgery ring that has shocked the art world. Over 2,100 forged artworks were seized, including fakes attributed to famous artists like Banksy, Andy Warhol, and Pablo Picasso. A total of 38 suspects were arrested during the operation, with the value of these forgeries estimated at around €200m ($213m).

The police uncovered six forgery workshops located in Tuscany, Venice, and other parts of Europe. This endeavor has led to charges against those involved, including conspiracy, forgery, and illegal sales of art. The Carabinieri’s cultural squad, along with the Pisa prosecutor’s office, revealed this information after a tip-off in 2023, which followed the seizure of about 200 counterfeit pieces from a businessman in Pisa—a notable example being a bogus drawing by renowned Italian painter Amedeo Modigliani.

Investigators unearthed fake artworks attributed to over 30 celebrated artists, including legends like Vincent Van Gogh, Salvador Dali, and Claude Monet, during raids conducted across Italy, Spain, and Belgium. Pisa's Chief Prosecutor, Teresa Angela Camelio, described the operation as "the biggest act of protection" for Banksy’s estate, highlighting the impact of these forgeries on the art market. Despite Banksy’s fame, the artist notoriously keeps his identity a secret, making these criminal operations even more intriguing.

Such incidents are not isolated; previously, Banksy’s pieces have attracted criminal attention, with thefts reported in places like London. Similarly, Andy Warhol's artworks have faced theft attempts, showcasing ongoing challenges in protecting iconic art from criminal activities.