Additional Coverage:
- NJ father-daughter team accused of peddling fake Picassos, Warhols and more to NYC art houses plead guilty (foxnews.com)
Federal prosecutors secured guilty pleas this week from a father and daughter accused of selling counterfeit artworks falsely attributed to well-known contemporary artists.
Erwin Bankowski, 50, and his daughter Karolina Bankowska, 26, now face up to 20 years in prison and could be ordered to pay restitution totaling as much as $1.9 million. Authorities allege the pair went to great lengths to deceive buyers, even fabricating false ownership histories-known as provenance-to make their forgeries appear authentic.
“These individuals didn’t just peddle fake art-they eroded trust, exploited buyers, and sought to profit through deception,” said FBI Assistant Director in Charge James Barnacle. “This case sends a clear message: those who manipulate the art market for personal gain will be caught and held accountable.”
According to the Department of Justice, the Bankowskis operated their scheme from 2020 through 2025, consigning over 200 counterfeit works to galleries and auction houses across the country. The forged pieces were purportedly created by renowned artists such as Andy Warhol, Pablo Picasso, Banksy, Raimonds Staprans, Richard Mayhew, and Native American artist Fritz Scholder.
To bolster the appearance of legitimacy, the defendants allegedly researched and crafted false provenance, claiming the artworks had previously been held in private collections connected to the artists, defunct galleries, or corporations no longer in business. Choosing such sources made it difficult for potential buyers and galleries to verify the authenticity of the pieces.
The fake artworks were priced up to $160,000 each, and the scam resulted in at least $2 million in losses to victims nationwide. Both defendants, Polish nationals residing in New Jersey, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and to misrepresenting Native American-produced goods-a charge linked to their forgery of Fritz Scholder’s work.
During a court hearing, Karolina Bankowska admitted, “My conduct was wrong and I am guilty.” Her attorney noted she had placed over $1 million into an escrow account.
Erwin Bankowski, through a Polish interpreter, also expressed remorse. His lawyer described his actions as “a terrible decision made in an effort to support his family.”
This case highlights ongoing challenges in protecting the integrity of the art market and serves as a cautionary tale for collectors and sellers alike.