The National Police have removed four forged works attributed to artists such as Ignacio Pinazo and Manuel Hernández Mompó from an online sales platform. The pieces were offered for prices ranging from €1,500 to €6,500.
The Police of the Valencian Community has dealt a blow to the fraudulent art market after seizing four fake paintings that were being sold on a well-known online sales platform. The paintings imitated the style and signature of renowned artists such as Ignacio Pinazo, Hermenegildo Anglada Camarasa, Joaquim Mir, and Manuel Hernández Mompó. All of them are figures of international prestige, which increased the appeal for potential buyers.
Investigation Launched in April
The investigation began last April when agents from the Historical Heritage Group detected the ads during routine cybersecurity checks. The prices of the works ranged from €1,500 to €6,500, a range that already raised suspicions due to its apparent opportunity.
The agents managed to identify and contact the seller, who claimed to be the owner of the pieces. After initial analyses, expert reports were requested from specialists in each painter's work. Among them, the widow of Hernández Mompó, the director of the Pinazo House Museum in Godella, and the director of the Fine Arts Museum of Valencia confirmed that the four works were forgeries.
Crimes of Fraud and Intellectual Property Violations
The specialists confirmed that both the style and signature of the artists had been imitated to give an apparent authenticity and, allegedly, increase their value in the market. The seller has been placed at the disposal of the judiciary as an investigated party, although not detained, for alleged crimes of fraud and intellectual property violations.
The seized works have been deposited pending the judge's decision on their fate. Meanwhile, the Police recommend that collectors exercise caution when purchasing art online and always turn to certified galleries or request expert reports before any purchase.
A Growing Problem in the Digital Market
The sale of artistic forgeries on online platforms is an increasing phenomenon. According to police sources, scammers take advantage of the difficulty of verifying authenticity remotely and the trust of buyers in second-hand sites. In this case, the swift action of the agents prevented the pieces from ending up in the hands of private individuals or museums.
For the reader in Mallorca, this case serves as a reminder of the importance of verifying any artwork before purchasing, especially if attributed to artists like Anglada Camarasa, who lived and worked in Pollença. His legacy is particularly sensitive on the island, where many of his works are still preserved.
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