The review of the cultural news shows that the signatures Alexander Vasilenko and Tom Moore are forgeries and that the artists do not seem to exist.

But the auction houses themselves do not make any particularly careful checks on the art they trade in, according to a person who both bought and sold works by Vasilenko via Bukowski's and Stockholm's auction houses. 

- There have never been any problems.

They check a little quickly in their history and see that it has been sold before and then they sell again.

My experience is that they do not spend more time or energy than that.

This in turn certainly makes it easier for such scams to exist, says the buyer.

The buyer also questions the actions of the auction houses when the frauds are revealed.

- The sad thing is that there is low transparency at the auction houses and the lid on directly, says the buyer.

"You feel cheated"

Another couple who bought Vasilenko art say that they bought the work at an art gallery.

The gallery owner spoke warmly about Alexander Vasilenko.

He was described as a skilled artist who would soon become very famous.

He was big in France and painted in oil, said the gallery owner.

The couple thought they were buying a lithograph based on one of his oil paintings and paid SEK 6,000.

The review of the cultural news shows that these are simple Photoshop montages that were sold under a false signature.

The artist does not seem to exist.

- It is clear that you feel cheated, the couple says.

"They should have better control"

The couple will not try to get their money back because they like the picture and it is not about large sums for them.

But even the couple is critical of the fact that art dealers and auction houses do not make better checks.

As a consumer, you expect reputable auction houses to know what they are selling, they say. 

- It's very strange.

They should have better control, say the buyers.

According to John Peter Nilsson, curator at the Moderna museet, the auction houses have an important function in the art market, when it comes to how highly a work of art is valued.

In the video you can hear John Peter Nilsson's reasoning.

Kulturnyheterna is looking for Bukowski's and Stockholm's auction house.

Bukowskis has previously refused an interview but wrote that they have broken their routines and intend to report the fraud to the police.

They also write that they will contact those who bought the scam art via Bukowskis.