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In a major operation, Spanish police have dismantled a group accused of selling counterfeit art pieces claimed to be the work of the famed British artist Banksy.

The Catalonia regional police force, Mossos d’Esquadra, conducted a raid on a workshop within an apartment in Zaragoza. This workshop served as the production site for these fraudulent artworks, which were then sold through various channels, including auction rooms, antique shops, and online platforms.

During the investigation, police seized nine pieces of counterfeit art and identified at least 25 sales involving victims from various countries such as Spain, Germany, Switzerland, the United States, and Scotland.

Four individuals are currently under investigation for fraud and violations of intellectual property rights. Initially, the fakes were sold at modest prices not exceeding 80 euros. However, with the involvement of a distributor knowledgeable about the art market and a distribution entity, fake certificates were created to falsely attribute these pieces to Banksy, significantly increasing their sale price.