After an Artwork Critical of Xi Jinping Mysteriously Burned to the Ground in California, the U.S. Blames a Covert Chinese Operation

Crime

After an Artwork Critical of Xi Jinping Mysteriously Burned to the Ground in California, the U.S. Blames a Covert Chinese Operation

China appears to have sent operatives to spy on artist Chen Weiming.

By Taylor Dafoe, Aug 29, 2022

Crime

The Orlando Museum of Art Has Created a ‘Task Force’ to Help Recover Trust After the FBI’s Raid of a Contested Basquiat Show

The embattled museum is trying to recover and gain back the support of its patrons and public.

By Vittoria Benzine, Aug 23, 2022

Crime

Cambodian Officials Say the Met Owns at Least 33 Looted Artworks Linked to the Late, Disgraced Art Dealer Douglas Latchford

A former criminal told Cambodian officials he was personally involved in taking the artworks that ended up at the museum.

By Sarah Cascone, Aug 18, 2022

Crime

A Woman Allegedly Paid a Psychic to Convince Her Mother Her Art Collection Was Cursed—and Then Stole Over $137 Million in Art

Police recovered a $59 million Tarsila do Amaral canvas in a raid connected to the arrests.

By Sarah Cascone, Aug 11, 2022

Crime

Italian Tax Police Seized $144 Million in Art and Other Assets From the Architect Who Designed ‘Putin’s Palace’

Lanfranco Cirillo has faced multiple charges of financial malfeasance in the past.

By Caroline Goldstein, Aug 4, 2022

Crime

A Curator Has Been Charged With Giving False Provenance Information Amid a Major Probe Into Louvre Abu Dhabi Antiquities Trafficking

The scandal is thought to concern hundreds of ancient pieces that were destined for the United Arab Emirates museum.

By Anna Sansom, Aug 1, 2022

Crime

A Dutch Court Upheld an Eight-Year Sentence for the Daring Serial Thief Who Stole Nearly $20 Million in Art From Museums

The court wants to send a message about the serious nature of art theft.

By Eileen Kinsella, Jul 25, 2022

Crime

Italian Authorities Blocked the Sale of an Artemisia Gentileschi Painting in Austria, Saying Its Owners Lied to Export It

A criminal investigation into the owners is underway now—and will likely determine the fate of the $2 million artwork.

By Taylor Dafoe, Jul 20, 2022

Crime

Officials in Ibiza Seized a $460,000 Picasso Sketch That a Passenger Tried to Pass Off as a Second-Rate Print

The suspect had a fake receipt that stated the work was worth a little over $1,500.

By Dorian Batycka, Jul 19, 2022

Crime

Florida Man Faces 20 Years in Prison for Allegedly Selling Cheap Prints as Multimillion-Dollar Artworks by Basquiat and Other Stars

Why is it always a Florida man?

By Sarah Cascone, Jul 14, 2022

Crime

Thieves Stole an Ancient Copper Relic Said to Contain the Blood of Jesus. Then It Turned Up on the Doorstep of a Dutch Art Detective

The “Indiana Jones of the art world” has made headlines once again.

By Vittoria Benzine, Jul 14, 2022

Crime

Seven People, Including a Man and His 74-Year-Old Mother, Are Found Guilty of Involvement in a $2 Million Paris Art Theft

A group of men entered the apartment of a pensioner in July 2020 and made off with work by Pierre Soulages, Gerhard Richter, and others.

By Anna Sansom, Jul 6, 2022

Crime

In Pictures: Do Those Confiscated Paintings at the Orlando Museum of Art Actually Look Like Basquiats? Judge for Yourself

The museum has already scrubbed all mention of the show, titled "Heroes and Monsters," from its website.

By Vittoria Benzine, Jul 1, 2022

Crime

The Culprits in a Brazen Jewelry Heist at TEFAF Maastricht Remain at Large After Dutch Police Release Two Suspects Without Charges

Nobody else has yet been arrested in connection to the heist, but the investigation continues.

By Jo Lawson-Tancred, Jun 30, 2022

Crime

Armed Suspects Smashed a Jewelry Display at TEFAF Using a Mallet Before Jetting Off in Broad Daylight in a Getaway Car

Local police says that two suspects have been apprehended.

By Jo Lawson-Tancred, Jun 28, 2022