Police have broken up a network trafficking counterfeit paintings in Switzerland and seized over 100 works. Four people face charges.
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According to Vaud cantonal police, it is the biggest case of fake paintings ever discovered in Switzerland.
The paintings seized were signed by painters including Rodolphe-Théophile Bosshard, George Braque, Edouard Vallet, Maurice de Vlaminck or Kees van Dongen.
Between 2005 and 2008, the four alleged forgers, who worked in the art industry, introduced around 80 paintings carrying the signatures of some 40 painters onto the art market.
The victims of the scam are also said to be professionals from the art industry.
While most of the fakes were painted and signed by the forgers, some were painted by minor artists and had the signature of a master added on.
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