ART MAFIA

Crime is advancing in the art world. According to the international criminal investigation departments, after drugs the illegal art-trade is the second largest source of income for criminals. Even the well-established auctioneering firms, who nearly control the complete art-market, commit large-scale fraud themselves.

According to specialists almost half of all the works of art in museums are fake and a majority of the art pieces has an illegal origin. Through theft and plundering more and more cultural inheritance disappears or is destroyed. The art trade is also an ideal launderette for black money.

Dutch journalist Henk Schutten very recently published long study on crime in the art world. For the research he worked closely together with renown art dealers, criminals and the famous Dutch forger Geert-Jan Jansen.

The world's leading fine art and antiques fair, TEFAF in Maastricht this March, seems to be an interesting opportunity to find out what is true and what is false. more features

February-March, 2001