Story perspectives

Forgery Conviction: Andrew Crowley Sentenced for Fake Antiquities

5/23/2026

Summary

Story summary

Andrew Crowley received a sentence after trying to sell fake Cycladic and Anatolian statues to Sotheby’s in London.
Forensic analysis showed the invoices used a 2001 technique, 25 years newer than the claimed 1976 date, as Sotheby’s experts spotted spelling errors and a nine-pence stamp.
Judge Nicholas Rimmer cut projected value from £680,000 to £340,000, ordered 200 hours of unpaid work and £1,630 costs, noting the estimate relied on hypotheticals.

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Story summary

Andrew Crowley received a sentence after trying to sell fake Cycladic and Anatolian statues to Sotheby’s in London.
Forensic analysis showed the invoices used a 2001 technique, 25 years newer than the claimed 1976 date, as Sotheby’s experts spotted spelling errors and a nine-pence stamp.
Judge Nicholas Rimmer cut projected value from £680,000 to £340,000, ordered 200 hours of unpaid work and £1,630 costs, noting the estimate relied on hypotheticals.