Art scam gang leader jailed for 5 years
Print Edition
COLD-CALLING art scammers swindled 3.5 million yuan (US$563,500) out of householders by offering over-priced reproductions of famous artworks, a court said yesterday.
The gang leader received a sentence of five years and three months in prison, while another 18 people were given lesser punishments at the Chongming County People’s Court.
However, some of the gang’s victims didn’t realize that they’d been duped until informed by police.
One victim, surnamed Zhang, first received a call in August, 2013, the court heard.
She was told that she had “won” the chance to buy a limited edition gold leaf version of famous Chinese painting “Along the River During the Qingming Festival.”
Suspicious, Zhang hung up, but the salesman, called her again the next day and said there were only 100 “winners” nationwide.
And while the reproduction of the Northern Song Dynasty (960–1127) masterpiece attributed to Zhang Zeduan should sell for 19,800 yuan, “winners” could have it for 1,980 yuan.
The salesman persisted in calling Zhang every day until she finally agreed to buy the work.
Afterward, Zhang bought more items, including seals said to be jade, for 100,000 yuan.
The gang also swindled another 153 people.
Prosecutors said the artworks were sold at much inflated prices, but it was not reported what they were actually worth.
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