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FAQ

 

 

SITE PRESENTATION

Why was the site created?

Because the illegal traffic in art works is the third largest illegal traffic, after drugs and weapons. It is estimated at $6,000,000 annually.

What can you find on the site?

You find information concerning the fraudulent origin of certain art works (theft, receiving stolen goods, abuse of confidence, …)

For whom is this site intended?

This site was created for persons who are interested in the art market. It is intended for collectors and professionals who participate in transactions as well as the general public who only have access to a single source of information.

Where does the information contained in the site come from?

It comes from the data registered by theft victims. Any person can register data: to do so, you must open an account.

Have you been the victim of a theft?

Our role is to help you increase the chance of recovering your art objects. We place at your disposition a tool that will allow you to take control of the search for your items.

Are you an art or antique collector?

You can verify the origin of an art object before buying it. You can also verify the origin of items in your collection or inventory.

Are you an auction house?

You will be able to verify the source of the works with which you have been confided.

 

USING THE SITE

Do you need any special knowledge to use the service?

No, you do not need any special knowledge in computers or in art: all you have to have to do is follow the provided instructions.

Is the consultation service free?

Yes, the consulation is available on an unlimited basis and free to everybody: collectors, dealers, antique collectors, auction houses, experts, or those who are simply curious, but also to insurance companies and police. This is necessary to ensure the service’s maximum effectiveness: The greater number of visitors, the harder it will be to sell the art works registered in the database.

If I find a sought item, what must I do?

You must not buy it.

If I find a sought item, what can I do?

Inform us of it. To do that, you can send us an email that will be addressed to the theft victim and the site administrator. If a reward is offered, state if you wish to ask for it.

Does the registration service cost money?

Yes, to register sought items, you must pay the costs of placing them online. It is normal that the beneficiary of the service contributes to its financing. The cost is fixed and therefore independent of the value of the sought items.

What is the service price?

You can place an item online for 3 years, 9 years, or for an unlimited period. To access the service prices, click on PRICES. The cost of placement online is less than a notice in the press and is much more effective. The site does not receive any commission in case of recovery of stolen works.

 

REGISTRATION OF AN ITEM ON THE SITE

My parents had paintings stolen 30 years ago. Could I benefit from the service?

Yes, without a problem. We would be happy to be able to help you recover them.

The stolen items were not insured against theft:

That is, unfortunately, often the case, in 90-95% of the thefts. Our service could be very useful to you.

The stolen items were insured against theft:

That will not prevent you from benefiting from our services. If an insurance company was subrogated in your rights, you are obliged to inform it in the case of recovery.

How do I declare a theft?

Declaration is possible through the Internet using your account (create an account).
You can also contact us by email: contact@stolen-and-wanted.com.
If you are not familiar with the Internet, you can write us at the following address:
Stolen-and-wanted.com Sociét? ArtArt@t
155 cours Berriat F - 38000 GRENOBLE - FRANCE.
by fax at : 33 (0)4 76 96 86 80
or by telephone at: 33 (0)4 76 49 55 41.

Is it necessary to have a picture of the sought item?

No, but a picture may be useful in making your posting more effective.

How many pictures is it possible to publish on the site?

A maximum of 5 pictures per sought item. The first picture is the primary picture, with the others being secondary or providing detail.

What are the "bibliographic references" of the sought work?

You need to understand the term "bibliographic references" in the larger sense of the phrase: It includes annotated catalogs, all documentational books, exposition and museum catalogues, theses, and periodicals, as well as auction house catalogs in which the target work was listed.

Why are the "bibliographic references" important?

They represent a very effective way of identifying a work. For example, painting No. 230 of an annotated catolog of the work of a painter cannot be confused with another painting by the same artist. Moreover, for the sale of the painting of many artists, the seller is required to list the painting number appearing in the annotated catalog.

How are the "bibliographic references" used?

They are a powerful method of increasing the chances of recovering a sought work. A work carrying 5 bibliographic references has 5 times more chance of being recovered than a work that only carries one.

The sought item has a certificate of authenticity:

You can mention it, noting, if possible: the certificate's number and date, the name of the organization that issued it, and the name of the signatory on the certificate. You must also indicate whether the certificate has been stolen with the work.

The sought work is listed in the archives of the artist:

The service is also designed for this case: you can register its references in the artist's archives.

Is the service available for multiple works?

Yes, it is then necessary to show the edition number (embossment, sculptures, ...). For non-numbered multiple works, it is necessary to have a good picture or identification detail (collection seal for an embossment, …)

The piece is not reproduced in a book, but is part of a series of which certain works are listed:

This case is provided for: it is necessary to list the bibliographic references of the listed pieces and indicate their differences from the stolen piece (colors, dimensions, …). In this case, it is useful to have a picture of the sought work. The service is also designed for the parts of a polyptych whose panels are separate.

The piece is a fine mark wrist watch. What can I do?

You can refer to a manufactuer's catalog, and, in any case, indicate the series number of the watch.

Is the service available for stamps and coins?

Yes, because these items are very well cataloged. It is nevertheless advisable to have pictures because there are quite often variants of a coin closely related to others or of a stamp closely related to others. Another interest is bringing the buyer's attention to the risk of receiving stolen material to which they are being exposed: If a person proposes to sell many coins or stamps matching the items described for the same theft, there will be a strong presumption of fraudulent origin.

How long does it take to publish the information on the site?

As soon as the payment is executed: the process is very fast because it is automated.

Does the owner of an account have access to the information concerning the number of visitors to the site?

Yes, this information relates to the number of visitors to the site and the number of persons who have seen the owner's items.

 

THE REWARDS

Presentation of the rewards

The owner of an account has the option of promising to pay rewards for the purpose of making the search for the target work more effective.

The various types of rewards are:

The owner of an account has a choice of 4 types of rewards:
- a reward for location of the work on the Internet
- a reward for its physical location
- a reward for the indictment of the thieves or the receivers (arrest)
- a reward for the restitution of the work to its owner.
The owner of an account can promise 1, 2, 3, or 4 rewards for the same item. The owner can also promise none.

The reward amounts:

The account owner is free to set the amount of each reward. The owner is advised to adjust the amount to the value of the searched-for item, for example:
- if the item is well known, the rewards may be rather low. (5% of the value)
- if the item is little known, its resale will be much easier and less risky: the reward must therefore be much higher (between 25 and 33% of its value).

Reward payment:

If the owner of an account chooses to promise several rewards, each must be paid, independent of each other. However, if several rewards relate to the same recipient, their amount is not cumulative: the owner of the account is only obliged to pay the beneficiary the highest reward.

The conditions for claiming the reward benefits:

Persons who demand payment of a reward due to the discovery of a work may only claim it if they are not parties to the theft or the receiving of sought work. They will be presumed to be non-invovled parties until proven otherwise.

Litigation concerning the rewards:

The failure to respect obligations resulting from promises of payment of rewards will render the account owner liable to all injured persons. As an accessory, it consitutes legal grounds for the closure of the user account without giving the right of reimbursement of the money spent. The site denies, in any case, any responsibility resulting from the existence of a litagation concerning the payment of rewards promised by the owner of an account.


For any other question concerning this site: contact@stolen-and-wanted.com.
We will eventually complete this FAQ with your future questions.