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Art Crime: Frauds, Forgeries, and Fakes with Robert Wittman

Art Crime: Frauds, Forgeries, and Fakes with Robert Wittman


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Join FBI agent, best-selling author, and art crime expert Robert Wittman to uncover the inside stories of the multi-billion dollar worldwide business of art crime where frauds, forgeries, and fakes are the largest component.
Drawing on cases he worked on personally during his long and illustrious career in the FBI's National Art Crimes Team, Mr. Wittman will share stories and details of famous art forgeries. We'll meet a fake Saudi Sheikh with a fake Rembrandt and find out about a forged contemporary piece by Jean Michele Basquiat. Using visuals and video, we will also dig into a fraud case that rocked PBS's Antiques Road Show years ago. Later, we will learn about legal rulings and protections for art collectors and find out how not to acquire a fake or a forgery!
Led by an expert on art fraud, award-winning author, and FBI agent, Robert K. Wittman, this interactive seminar will explore the multi-billion-dollar industry of fakes and forgeries.
This conversation is part of a multi-part series with Robert Wittman. Each session is designed to be enjoyed as a stand-alone seminar as well as part of the extended Art Crime series.

Robert K. Wittman joined the FBI as a Special Agent in 1988. As a result of specialized training in art, antiques, jewelry and gem identification, he served as the FBI's investigative expert involving cultural property crime. During his 20 year FBI career he recovered more than $300 million worth of stolen art and cultural property which resulted in numerous prosecutions and convictions. As a result of his unique experience Mr. Wittman coauthored the FBI Cultural Property Investigative Manual in 2001. In 2005, he created the FBI's rapid deployment national Art Crime Team (ACT). Mr. Wittman has represented the United States throughout the world conducting investigations and instructing international police and museums in recovery and use of high value asset security techniques. Mr. Wittman is the recipient of numerous awards and commendations including the Order of Merit for Distinguished Service-Officer Level, presented by the President of Peru, the White Cross of Law Enforcement Merit with Distinction, by the government of Spain, Director's Award for Outstanding Contributions in Law Enforcement from the U.S. Department of Justice, Robert Burke Award for Cultural Property Protection from the Smithsonian Institution, and the S.A.F.E Beacon Award from Saving Antiquities for Everyone. In 2010, Mr. Wittman penned his New York Times bestselling memoir “PRICELESS: How I Went Undercover to Rescue the World's Stolen Treasures.” His second book, “THE DEVIL'S DIARY: Alfred Rosenberg and the Stolen Secrets of the Third Reich” is a worldwide best seller published in 29 languages in more than 30 countries.

This conversation is suitable for all ages.

90 minutes, including a 30 minute Q&A.

Customer Reviews

Based on 17 reviews
76%
(13)
18%
(3)
0%
(0)
6%
(1)
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D
D.B. (Philadelphia, US)
Interesting & Educational

Robert is clearly an expert in this area. This was the second seminar of his that I attended and I really enjoyed it. His stories are great and super interesting and informative!

K
K. (Newport Beach, US)

Very interesting and well done presentation. Robert has so many good stories to tell!

M
Merry Richon (Washington, US)
A fascinating subject explained with style

Mr. Wittman's years of experience with the FBI and as a consultant provide him with an unlimited trove of information which he shares in a very entertaining way. Lots of detail along with explanations of the difference between fake, fraud and forgery among other things most of us know little about. Very well done.

M
Meg Johnson (San Francisco, US)

Guest did not leave comment

S
Susan G (Wilmette, US)
Fascinating

Bob Wittman's seminars are wonderful. He is great story teller and his stories are fascinating, filled with unlikely criminals.

Customer Reviews

Based on 17 reviews
76%
(13)
18%
(3)
0%
(0)
6%
(1)
0%
(0)
D
D.B. (Philadelphia, US)
Interesting & Educational

Robert is clearly an expert in this area. This was the second seminar of his that I attended and I really enjoyed it. His stories are great and super interesting and informative!

K
K. (Newport Beach, US)

Very interesting and well done presentation. Robert has so many good stories to tell!

M
Merry Richon (Washington, US)
A fascinating subject explained with style

Mr. Wittman's years of experience with the FBI and as a consultant provide him with an unlimited trove of information which he shares in a very entertaining way. Lots of detail along with explanations of the difference between fake, fraud and forgery among other things most of us know little about. Very well done.

M
Meg Johnson (San Francisco, US)

Guest did not leave comment

S
Susan G (Wilmette, US)
Fascinating

Bob Wittman's seminars are wonderful. He is great story teller and his stories are fascinating, filled with unlikely criminals.