Dealers duped into buying art forgeries

A master forger has sent panic through the London art market after duping at least three dealers into paying large sums for pictures supposedly by a leading 19th century artist.

The forgeries of paintings by John Anster Fitzgerald have led experts to warn that "a new John Drew is in town", referring to the fraudster who, in 1998, was found to have tricked the art world for years.

Genuine Fitzgeralds have sold for £500,000, but most go for between £30,000 and £150,000. Dealer Rupert Maas, an expert valuer who appears on the BBC's Antiques Roadshow, said three different people had of fered him paintings allegedly by Fitzgerald. He paid a "substantial sum" for a work entitled The Miser.

Like the other dealers, Mr Maas was told the works came from an "English gentleman, now quite elderly".

He grew suspicious when the same vendor reappeared with another dubious picture by another artist, followed by two visits from different men.

This time Mr Maas decided not to buy the pictures. It later emerged one was bought at auction by another dealer. Three men were yesterday arrested in connection with the incident.