Italian art forgery network uncovered

A total of 38 people have been placed under investigation across Italy, Spain, France, and Belgium for suspected involvement in a conspiracy to handle stolen goods, forgery, and illegal sale of artworks. The investigation, which began last year, was prompted by the discovery of 200 counterfeit pieces in the collection of a businessman in Pisa, Italy. The counterfeit pieces were later found to include six forgeries, with two located in Tuscany, one in Venice, and three elsewhere in Europe. Authorities believe the forgeries, if sold to unsuspecting buyers, would have been worth approximately €200 million. Experts from the Banksy archive assisted in the investigation and have described the operation as the "biggest act of protection of Banksy's work."