A 52-year-old woman from the Lake Constance region has been charged with defrauding more than 100 artists out of approximately $900,000 through an elaborate fake art exhibition scheme. Police and prosecutors in Ravensburg announced that the woman contacted numerous artists via Facebook, convincing them to send their artwork for supposed exhibitions while also collecting fraudulent "contract fees" of around $2,000 from each victim.
The suspect allegedly approached artists with the promise of showcasing their paintings and artwork to a wider audience through exhibitions, appealing to creators who hoped to gain greater exposure for their work. However, investigators believe the woman never intended to provide the agreed-upon services and operated the scheme purely for financial gain. The fraudulent activities took place between October 2023 and February 2025, affecting artists across multiple regions.
During searches of properties used by the suspect in Lindau, Kressbronn, and Friedrichshafen, Baden-Württemberg investigators seized more than 200 pieces of artwork. Police were able to identify numerous victims through chat histories found in messaging services, and the majority of the confiscated artworks have since been returned to their rightful owners. The comprehensive investigation revealed the extent of the operation and helped authorities track down affected artists.
The 52-year-old woman is now under investigation for suspected aggravated fraud in nearly 140 cases. She is already in custody for other fraud-related offenses, demonstrating a pattern of deceptive behavior. Additionally, her 57-year-old husband is also under suspicion in connection with the art fraud scheme, suggesting the operation may have involved multiple conspirators working together to target vulnerable artists seeking exhibition opportunities.
