The Israeli Tax Authority last week raided the offices and homes of 18 Jews suspected of forging works of art and money laundering.
Some of the suspects were identified as Abraham Shuqrun, Shalom Naim, Yechiel Hochberg, Lior Yosef Gilboa, Yitzhak Gabso and Joseph Hochberg.
Police suspect that the group has been operating for several years forging works of art, mainly throughout Europe.
The findings of the investigation showed that in many cases, the group forged artifacts and paintings in a professional and sophisticated manner, purchasing raw materials specially developed for the purpose of qualitative art forgery.
It is suspected that the group worked with laboratories and other professionals, who prepared false letters of authenticity. Money launderers and art specialists joined together, selling the false artworks to galleries in Israel and Europe, while laundering the proceeds from the sales.
The group has sold at least 400 forged works of art since 2005, according to police in Germany. They have sold at least $2.7 million worth of forged art.
The Jews were charged with money laundering, aggravated fraud, aggravated forgery, conspiracy to commit a felony, use of a forged document, falsifying corporate records, fraud and violations of the Customs Ordinance.
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