MEMPHIS, TN -
(WMC-TV) - The online sale of art is making it tougher than ever to tell a Picasso from an imposter.
"There are thousands of victims," said Lee Jones, U.S. Postal Inspector.
Jones is talking about the online sale of counterfeit prints by world-renowned artists like Mark Chagall, Salvador Dali, and Pablo Picasso.
Undercover postal inspectors buy the art. The print is then lab-tested, and once they confirm the art is fake, they move in for the arrest.
"The fake prints have unique numbers and forged signatures," said Jones.
A consumer should look for a certificate of authenticity from the seller. In addition, they should also ask the seller for a history of where the seller obtained the print.
If you believe you're a victim of a fraud from an online auction, mailed sweepstakes, or lottery, file a complaint by clicking here.
Copyright 2012 WMC-TV. All rights reserved.
