[Biblist] Criminal group exchanged historical editions with sophisticated copies, causing EUR 2 500 000 in damages

Ur pressmeddelande från Europol In 2022 and 2023, the criminal group managed to steal rare books from national and historical libraries in Czechia, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Switzerland. The thieves would target rare books by mainly Russian writers, such as first editions authored by the likes of Alexander Pushkin or Nikolai Gogol. When visiting libraries, the thieves would request to check the antique books in person, feigning a specific such as academic interest. On this occasion, they would meticulously measure the books and take photographs before handing them back. Several days, weeks, or months later, the perpetrators would return and ask to access the same books, this time returning counterfeit versions. Experts have established that the copies were of outstanding quality. https://www.europol.europa.eu/media-press/newsroom/news/9-georgian-national… Jan -- Jan Szczepański F.d Förste bibliotekarie och chef för f.d Avdelningen för humaniora, vid f.d. Centralbiblioteket, Göteborgs universitetsbibliotek E-post: Jan.Szczepanski63(a)gmail.com