Father-Daughter Duo Pleads Guilty to $2 Million Art Forgery Scheme Involving Counterfeit Works by Banksy and Warhol
Art Forgery Scheme Uncovered
In a significant development in the art world, New York City art dealer Robert Rogal recently discovered that a painting he accepted on consignment was likely a counterfeit. The piece, presented by a young woman named Karolina Bankowska, was purportedly signed by renowned artist Andrew Wyeth. Rogal estimated that the artwork could sell for between $20,000 and $30,000 at auction. However, it has since come to light that the painting was one of over 200 forgeries created by Bankowska, 26, and her father, Erwin Bankowski, 50.
On Tuesday, both individuals pleaded guilty to charges of defrauding victims, including some of New York City’s most prestigious fine art auction houses, out of at least $2 million. The counterfeits, which were forged in Poland by an unnamed accomplice, often imitated lesser-known works by prominent artists such as Banksy and Andy Warhol.
Details of the Fraudulent Activities
Federal prosecutors revealed that the father-daughter duo began commissioning a Polish artist in 2020 to produce these fake artworks. They employed antique paper and forged stamps, adopting the names of defunct galleries where the artists might have plausibly exhibited their work. Their most lucrative counterfeit, attributed to artist Richard Mayhew, was sold by the auction house DuMouchelles for $160,000 last October.
Representatives from DuMouchelles confirmed their cooperation with federal authorities but refrained from discussing the sale further. Other auction houses involved in the scheme, including Bonhams, Phillips, Freeman’s, and Antique Arena, either declined to comment or did not respond to inquiries.
Legal Consequences and Statements
Both Bankowska and Bankowski, Polish citizens residing in New Jersey, face serious charges, including wire fraud conspiracy and misrepresenting Native American-produced goods. This latter charge arises from their duplication of works by Luiseño artist Fritz Scholder. They could face over three years in prison, along with $1.9 million in restitution and potential deportation to Poland.
In court, Bankowska acknowledged her wrongdoing, stating, “My conduct was wrong and I am guilty.” Her attorney mentioned that she had placed over $1 million in an escrow account. Bankowski also expressed remorse through a Polish interpreter, with his attorney noting that he made “a terrible decision in an effort to support his family.”
Industry Implications and Expert Insights
The art world is now grappling with the implications of this forgery scheme, which experts describe as a classic example of art fraud. Erin Thompson, a professor of art crime at the City University of New York, remarked that the only unusual aspect of this case is that the forgers were caught. She emphasized that the art industry is rife with forgeries, and many in the field may be reluctant to acknowledge this reality.
Prosecutors noted that the fraudulent activities began to attract scrutiny in March 2023 when representatives for artist Raimonds Staprans identified a forged painting titled “Triple Boats” being sold by an auction house. Shortly after the representatives alerted the auction house, the painting was sold for $60,000.
Thompson pointed out additional irregularities, such as a gallery stamp on the back of the fake Wyeth that listed a year of 1976 while including a zoning address number that had been phased out in 1962. The fake stamp also bore the name of M. Knoedler & Co., a historic New York gallery that closed in 2011 amid allegations of profiting from forgeries of works by artists like Jackson Pollock and Mark Rothko.
Ultimately, Rogal decided not to list the Wyeth painting for auction, citing the stamp on the back as “too clean.” When he attempted to contact Bankowska to retrieve the piece, she did not respond.
In a warehouse in Queens filled with consigned art pieces, Rogal reflected on the situation, stating, “You try to do a service and provide it correctly. Can we be fooled? Absolutely.”
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Published on 2026-04-30 14:51:00 • By the Editorial Desk
