As announced by Brazilian authorities last week, a raid on a Rio de Janeiro apartment resulted in the recovery of cash, jewellery, watches and works of art worth a total of 709 million Brazilian reals (£114 million). The objects were stolen by a group of criminals from the widow of gallery owner Jean Boghici (†2015) in the last two years. Apparently, the victim's daughter was involved in the scam.
See also: The Incredible 1911 Theft of the Mona Lisa
The accomplices pretended to be psychics and contacted the victim to inform her of her daughter's imminent death, telling her that it could only be avoided by spiritual countermeasures. The so-called psychics were paid for their 'services' and, as soon as the victim became suspicious, kept her at home and threatened her. Jewellery, watches and works of art have been stolen, with some put up for sale.
See also: 10 Major Art Thefts in 10 Different Years
During a raid on the home of two of the four suspects arrested, the Rio de Janeiro police managed to recover several stolen paintings, including Sol Poente (1929) by Tarsila do Amaral (1886-1973), one of the largest representatives of Brazilian modernism and an influential Latin American artist, valued at £41 million.
