Art market flooded with Damien Hirst fakes, forger recently convicted
Art Fraud, Vincent Lopreto and two partners have been accused of forging prints by internationally renowned British artist Damien Hirst. Innocent buyers around the world (Including but not limited to buyers from United States, Britain, Germany, South Africa, South Korea, and Taiwan) spent nearly 400,000 US dollars on forgeries, the three were indicted in New York City Court this June and were found guilty.
It’s not the first time that Lopreto has been accused of selling fake Damien Hirst prints. Lopreto was arrested and pleaded guilty to the same scheme back in 2014. Lopreto was accused of using stamps, printer and other tools to forge Hirst prints, including Hirst's 'Valium', 'LSD, and 'Opium'. Loreto even forged copies of Hirst's limited edition print 'Esculetin'. Lopreto and his partners sold the fake Hirst prints online through eBay and through auction houses- offering fradulent 'Certificates of Authenticity', deceiving buyers into believing that the fake Hirst prints were genuine.
Source: Reference to the New York Times
Source:
(Figure I) at Courtesy and Damien Hirst Hirst Holdings / Tate Modern / PA
(on Figure II) Via Bloomberg Getty ImagesRF Royalty Free
(Figure II bottom left) Vincent Lopreto, 52. The Photo: Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office
(Figure II bottom right) Lopreto Production of fake "Esculetin" photo: Manhattan DA
