Daniel Elie Bouaziz allegedly sold fake art in Florida

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A notable Florida art vendor has been accused of offering faux is effective from the likes of Jean Michel-Basquiat and Banksy for hundreds of hundreds of bucks, in accordance to a federal criminal complaint.

Daniel Elie Bouaziz, who ran two galleries on Palm Beach’s special Truly worth Avenue, allegedly bought affordable reproductions on the internet and passed them off as authentic to unsuspecting clientele.

In one offer, he picked up a $100 Andy Warhol facsimile and sold it for $85,000 to a bamboozled consumer, in accordance to federal court docket papers submitted in Florida.

The FBI began monitoring Bouaziz’s functions in 2021 just after numerous patrons alerted them to his alleged misconduct.

They explained to officers that the is effective from marquee names like pop artists Roy Lichtenstein and Keith Haring would be worth thousands and thousands if true — and that Bouaziz’s pricing buildings designed minor sense.

Working undercover, federal brokers shortly bought a bogus Warhol from Bouaziz for $26,000 and also set up an extra offer really worth $22 million just before his arrest last 7 days, the courtroom papers say.

Brokers recorded discussions with Bouaziz in his galleries where by he introduced the pieces as ironclad investments.

A Florida art dealer has been accused of selling fake works
The artwork vendor allegedly marketed phony operates from Jean Michel-Basquiat and Banksy.
Section of Justice

“I actually gave you a fantastic price tag,” the gallerist advised them all through just one assembly about a signed Warhol “Superman” print. “You can only make dollars.”

In a person of his extra ambitious gambits, Bouaziz allegedly offered undercover brokers a Basquiat he bought for 495 euros for $12 million.

The French citizen of Algerian descent appeared to have reveled in his proceeds, in accordance to the complaint. The indictment notes that he applied his windfalls for purchases from luxury brand names Lamborghini, Rolex and Cartier.

The criminal costs take note a overall of six alleged victims who every paid tens of countless numbers of pounds for frequent reproductions from iconic artists.

selling fake works from the likes of Jean Michel-Basquiat and Banksy
Alleged victims each individual paid tens of hundreds of dollars for frequent reproductions.
Division of Justice

1 purchaser signed around $120,000 for two pieces Bouaziz nabbed for just $600, according to the grievance.

To allay buyer suspicions, Bouaziz cast himself as an unimpeachable artwork appraiser and would supply certificates of authenticity.

His legal professional, Howard Schumacher, explained his customer cast a longstanding status as an trustworthy supplier in Palm Beach and that art costs are inherently subjective.

Schumacher reported he has presently offered revenue back again to dissatisfied clients and has normally adhered to that plan.

“He has a huge next on the island in an location that is very eclectic,” Schumacher explained, introducing that he designs to plead not responsible. “This intrusion by the governing administration has experienced an impact on his popularity and he desires to clear that.”

Bouaziz was launched on $500,000 bond Friday at his first courtroom appearance.

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