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AIBU?

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Original poster

AIBU to wonder what happens to stolen famous artworks afterwards?

37 replies

risingup · 08/09/2026 14:31

Why do people steal valuable things like paintings by Renoir etc and Faberge eggs?

What do they do with it once they've got it - I mean it's not as if they can sell it to someone who can show it off.

OP posts:
Candleabra · 08/09/2026 15:16

Stolen to order and then held onto by someone dodgy and they never see the light of day again.
They obviously can’t be sold on the open market.
It’s worse for jewellery/crowns etc which are usually melted down and sold at a fraction of their worth and the historical significance destroyed.

Rubyupbeat · 08/09/2026 15:15

I would say that the majority are stolen to order for private galleries.

Munchie1965 · 08/09/2026 15:13

I cannot see how they are an investment long term or otherwise as they can never be publicly sold.

Having said that I guess they could be sold on the QT to other criminals but that must be a limited market.

fruitbrewhaha · 08/09/2026 14:44

Well it’s not an investment. If they appear in the future they cannot be sold.

They probably hang them in their offices where they plan their criminal activities. Show them off to the other crims. But careful not to shoot anyone in through head near them.

TitsWILLbetatted · 08/09/2026 14:41

As they can't be sold in present times, maybe very wealthy people want them as very long-term investments for their remote heirs?

DreamingOfGeneHunt · 08/09/2026 14:36

I assume they're stolen to order.

Latenightreader · 08/09/2026 14:36

Stolen to order in some cases, stolen for the price of gold in others. I used to work somewhere which had a large gold item taken during a burglary and it was almost certainly melted down. Devastating, as it was centuries old and irriplacable.

ThisisPradadarling · 08/09/2026 14:35

Mafia and other drug cartels buy them I think? Covered it briefly in art history years ago, it's really interesting.

BMW58 · 08/09/2026 14:35

I've Always assumed they are bought by some incredibly wealthy people who have them for their eyes only.

The pleasure is in the ownership not letting others see it

AvogadrosNumber · 08/09/2026 14:34

They are fenced (sold on the black market) to collectors. Most collectors of very expensive items, like high profile works of art, don't have them on display, they are kept in high security storage as investments.

Lomonald · 08/09/2026 14:34

I think there is a thrill of stealing it and they probably do sell it on to dodgy billionaire collectors just want it.

NewAgain26 · 08/09/2026 14:32

ermmmm I dunno...... sell it on the Black market?! LOL