American Greed: Scams, Scoundrels and Scandals Season 12 Episode 12 Artistic License to Steal

In season 12 episode 12 of American Greed: Scams, Scoundrels and Scandals titled "Artistic License to Steal," viewers are taken into the world of fine art forgery and the man behind one of the biggest art scams in history. The episode follows the story of John Drewe, a con artist who used his knowledge of European art to dupe unsuspecting buyers and dealers out of millions of dollars.

John Drewe began his scheme by approaching art restorers and using his knowledge of European art to convince them to restore pieces that he claimed belonged to wealthy clients. Using fake documents and elaborate stories, he was able to persuade them that the pieces were authentic and worth significant amounts of money. After the restoration was completed, Drewe would sell the forgeries to art galleries and dealers, often pocketing millions of dollars in the process.

As his scheme continued to grow, Drewe enlisted the help of a struggling artist named John Myatt. Myatt, who was struggling to make ends meet, was persuaded by Drewe to create replicas of famous works of art. Drewe then worked to pass off these replicas as genuine pieces, even going so far as to forge signatures and create fake documentation to back up his claims.

The episode delves into the world of forgers and their techniques, with experts sharing their knowledge of the craft and how it is often used to dupe unsuspecting buyers. Viewers are taken on a journey through the complex web of lies and deceit that Drewe spun to create his multi-million dollar scheme, and the devastating consequences it had for those who were caught up in it.

As the authorities began to close in on Drewe, he went on the run with his wife and son, making headlines across the UK as a wanted man. The episode explores the efforts of law enforcement agencies to catch Drewe and bring him to justice, as well as the trail of devastation that he left behind.

"Artistic License to Steal" is a fascinating look into the world of art forgery and the lengths that some individuals will go to in order to swindle others out of millions of dollars. Through interviews with experts, victims, and law enforcement officials, viewers are given a unique insight into the mind of a con artist and the devastating impact that their actions can have.