Italian authorities recently dismantled a major forgery network responsible for producing counterfeit artworks attributed to high-profile artists like Banksy, Andy Warhol, and Pablo Picasso.

Dubbed Operation Cariatide, this effort spanned Italy, Spain, France, and Belgium, resulting in the seizure of 2,100 fakes valued at around €200 million ($213 million). Authorities arrested 38 suspects linked to forgery, illegal art sales, and conspiracy.

The investigation, which began with the discovery of 200 fakes in a Pisa collection, uncovered six forgery workshops. These operations used compliant auction houses and staged exhibitions to add credibility to the fakes and introduce them into the market at high prices. According to Pisa’s Chief Prosecutor Teresa Angela Camelio, the operation marked a significant step in protecting the legacies of iconic artists.

Operation Cariatide highlights the importance of buying from reputable galleries, where authentication standards are upheld rigorously. Trusted galleries have experts who can verify provenance, protecting buyers from counterfeit risks and ensuring the integrity of the artwork. Reputable galleries work closely with appraisers and often with artists’ estates, preventing forgeries from infiltrating collections and safeguarding the value of both the art and the investment.