A major police operation in Thessaloniki has blown the lid off a sophisticated art forgery ring that allegedly flooded European auction houses with fake masterpieces.
On Thursday, police stormed a workshop near the Agia Sofia area, believed to be the hub of the counterfeit operation.
Inside, officers discovered a treasure trove of forged paintings, some valued as high as €100,000 each. Three individuals were detained for questioning as police seized a vanload of evidence, including counterfeit artwork and tools used in the forgery process.
This elaborate scheme allegedly involved selling the fake paintings to unsuspecting buyers across Europe, generating massive profits for the criminal organization.
The operation, which continued late into the evening, highlights the growing problem of art forgery in the international market.
The Hellenic Police (EL.AS) is expected to release an official statement with further details once the investigation concludes.