Headlines in Europe: hundred German policemen raided haredi counterfeit art network
Not only in Israel • The affair of haredi money laundering and counterfeiting art, is stirring the press in Europe • more than a hundred German policemen raided 28 destinations in six cities in the country • Two who headed the network - arrested
- Yoel Koritz, Behadrey Haredim
- י"א תמוז התשע"ג
פלאש90
Art paintings. Photo: Flash 90. There is no connection between the photographed subjects of the article
The National Unit of International Fraud of the Israeli police are in no hurry to reveal details about the investigation against those involved in counterfeiting art works and money laundering, which was exposed last week, and involves haredim as well.
But from the information revealed by the police in Germany one can learn a thing or two about the affair.
Israeli police unit has been leading for several months an undercover investigation, in cooperation with the German Federal Police. On Wednesday, when investigators raided the homes of 18 Israeli suspects involved in the case, including haredim, more than 100 policemen and German investigators raided more than 28 destinations in six different cities in the country, at the same time.
The raid was on apartments, businesses, warehouses and art galleries, during which more than 1000 items were confiscated.
During the raid, two people were arrested, aged 41 and 67, suspected of heading sales in works network, in which six counterfeiting experts and others were involved in Israel and Switzerland who helped their sale, in money laundering and other offenses.
The counterfeiters themselves are suspected sales of more than 400 works, ranging at a thousand euro to over one million euro per piece.
Israeli inquiry findings indicate that in many cases artifacts and paintings were forged in a sophisticated and professional way while using raw materials purchased and specially developed for the purpose of qualitative forgery. In addition, it is suspected that with the help of laboratories and other professionals, documents were allegedly prepared which provided legal cover for works.
In addition, during the investigation it was suspected money launderers and art experts combined activity of many years of sophisticated money laundering and tax evasion, through exchange offices providing services and using elements that are lawyers by profession.
The general media in Israel did not engage much in the affair and its details which stir the general business and haredi. However the European media reported it extensively. The Daily Telegraph, 'Bolmberg' and The Guardian, are just some of a long list of media outlets covering the case.
Meanwhile Israel three suspects of the case were released to house arrest.
The arrest of a fourth suspect was extended by two days.
Three other involved haredim, according to suspect, are overseas and police are awaiting their return so they can investigate the allegations raised against them in the investigation. This involves a senior lawyer and two well known businessmen.
The National Unit of International Fraud of the Israeli police are in no hurry to reveal details about the investigation against those involved in counterfeiting art works and money laundering, which was exposed last week, and involves haredim as well.
But from the information revealed by the police in Germany one can learn a thing or two about the affair.
Israeli police unit has been leading for several months an undercover investigation, in cooperation with the German Federal Police. On Wednesday, when investigators raided the homes of 18 Israeli suspects involved in the case, including haredim, more than 100 policemen and German investigators raided more than 28 destinations in six different cities in the country, at the same time.
The raid was on apartments, businesses, warehouses and art galleries, during which more than 1000 items were confiscated.
During the raid, two people were arrested, aged 41 and 67, suspected of heading sales in works network, in which six counterfeiting experts and others were involved in Israel and Switzerland who helped their sale, in money laundering and other offenses.
The counterfeiters themselves are suspected sales of more than 400 works, ranging at a thousand euro to over one million euro per piece.
Israeli inquiry findings indicate that in many cases artifacts and paintings were forged in a sophisticated and professional way while using raw materials purchased and specially developed for the purpose of qualitative forgery. In addition, it is suspected that with the help of laboratories and other professionals, documents were allegedly prepared which provided legal cover for works.
In addition, during the investigation it was suspected money launderers and art experts combined activity of many years of sophisticated money laundering and tax evasion, through exchange offices providing services and using elements that are lawyers by profession.
The general media in Israel did not engage much in the affair and its details which stir the general business and haredi. However the European media reported it extensively. The Daily Telegraph, 'Bolmberg' and The Guardian, are just some of a long list of media outlets covering the case.
Meanwhile Israel three suspects of the case were released to house arrest.
The arrest of a fourth suspect was extended by two days.
Three other involved haredim, according to suspect, are overseas and police are awaiting their return so they can investigate the allegations raised against them in the investigation. This involves a senior lawyer and two well known businessmen.
הוספת תגובה
לכתבה זו טרם התפרסמו תגובות