 |
| One of the forged paintings |
The Israeli Tax Authority last week raided the offices and homes of 18 people, including several Orthodox Jewish business people suspected of forging works of art and money laundering.
Some of the suspects were identified as Abraham Shuqrun of Petah Tikva, Shalom Naim of Netanya, Yechiel Hochberg of Bnei Brak, Lior Yosef Gilboa of Ramat Gan, Yitzhak Gabso of Givattayim, Joseph Hochberg of Petah Tikva and a lawyer, whose name was not revealed, due to a court imposed a gag order.
Additional suspects were not yet brought before a judge for a bail hearing and cannot be named at this time.
The Israeli Fraud Squad director launched an undercover and complex investigation several months ago, in conjunction with the German police, Israeli Tax Authority, Money Laundering investigative unit, and the Finance Ministry.
Police suspect that the group has been operating for several years forging works of art mainly throughout Europe.
The findings of the investigation showed that in many cases, the group forged artifacts and paintings in a professional and sophisticated manner, purchasing raw materials specially developed for the purpose of qualitative art forgery.
In addition, it is suspected that the group worked with laboratories and other professionals, who prepared false letters of authenticity. Money launderers and art specialists joined together, selling the false artworks to galleries in Israel and Europe, while laundering the proceeds from the sales.
The group has sold at least 400 forged works of art since 2005, according to police in Germany. The group has sold at least $2.7 million worth of forged art since 2005.
The suspects were charged with money laundering, aggravated fraud, aggravated forgery, conspiracy to commit a felony, use of a forged document, falsifying corporate records, fraud and violations of the Customs Ordinance.
Some of the suspects were remanded last week by a Rishon Lezion Magistrate Court while some suspects were released to house arrest.