Italy-Led Operation Seizes Counterfeit Picassos and Munchs

Italy-Led Operation Seizes Counterfeit Picassos and Munchs

The fake pieces were intercepted before reaching auction houses in Germany and Spain and were brought back to Italy following European Investigation Orders.

The forgeries were part of a counterfeiting scheme uncovered by Italy’s Carabinieri art squad. Investigators say the group used graphic software to replicate originals, printing them on paper with falsified watermarks and copied signatures. To mimic aging, the prints were soaked in coffee or tea, then sent abroad with fake circulation certificates to evade expert checks. Eurojust said the fakes could have fetched over €1 million ($1.17 million) if sold.