A father and daughter have confessed to a sophisticated scheme that flooded the art world with forgeries, deceiving collectors and auction houses across the United States. Erwin Bankowski, 50, and Karolina Bankowska, 26, now face the possibility of two decades behind bars, alongside a hefty order to repay nearly $1.9 million to their victims.
Prosecutors didn’t mince words, describing the pair’s operation as selling “lies on canvas.” For years, they meticulously crafted a network of deception, creating fake histories for paintings falsely attributed to some of the 20th and 21st centuries’ most iconic artists.
The list of artists whose work was imitated reads like a who’s who of modern art: Andy Warhol, Pablo Picasso, the elusive Banksy, and even the celebrated Native American artist Fritz Scholder. Over 200 counterfeit artworks were consigned for auction between 2020 and 2025, each a carefully constructed illusion.
What set this fraud apart wasn’t just the imitation of brushstrokes, but the fabrication of provenance – the documented history of ownership. The Bankowskis deliberately targeted defunct art galleries and corporations, knowing verification would be nearly impossible, building a false narrative of legitimacy.
The scheme was remarkably lucrative, with individual forgeries fetching prices as high as $160,000. Victims, believing they were acquiring genuine masterpieces, were defrauded of at least $2 million, a sum built on a foundation of carefully constructed falsehoods.
The FBI, leading the investigation, emphasized the severity of the crime. “Those who manipulate the market for personal gain will be caught and held accountable,” stated a high-ranking official, highlighting the agency’s commitment to protecting the integrity of the art world.
Both Bankowski and Bankowska, Polish citizens residing in New Jersey, pleaded guilty to wire fraud conspiracy and a separate charge related to the misrepresentation of Native American art. Karolina Bankowska openly admitted her wrongdoing in court, and her attorney revealed she had already placed over $1 million in escrow.
Her father, speaking through an interpreter, also expressed remorse. His legal counsel explained the deception stemmed from a desperate attempt to provide for his family, a justification that ultimately couldn’t erase the gravity of their actions.
The case serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities within the art market and the lengths to which some will go to exploit the passion and investment of collectors. It underscores the critical importance of due diligence and the enduring power of authenticity.
