World · Latin America · 15 hrs ago
Man charged in alleged 25 million peso art fraud involving Kahlo and Siqueiros works
A Mexico City judge ordered Ricardo “N” to face trial over an alleged 25 million peso fraud involving two paintings attributed to Frida Kahlo and David Alfaro Siqueiros.
The paintings were handed over in December 2020 under a sale agreement, with two properties offered as security for payment.
The properties were not shown to belong to the accused, and the deeds he provided referred to unrelated notarial matters.
When the seller demanded payment or the return of the paintings, Ricardo “N” allegedly responded with insults and threats.
The seller reported the case to Mexico City prosecutors in September 2022.
Police arrested Ricardo “N” in Aguascalientes on October 31, and a judge ordered him held in preventive detention after a hearing on November 3.
Prosecutors have one month to complete the next stage of their investigation, but they have not said whether the paintings have been recovered or confirmed their authenticity.
A Mexico City judge ordered Ricardo “N” to stand trial for his alleged role in a 25 million-peso fraud involving two paintings attributed to Frida Kahlo and David Alfaro Siqueiros.
The victim handed over the paintings in December 2020 after agreeing to sell them for 25 million pesos.
Investigators say Ricardo “N” offered two properties as payment security, using documents that did not prove he owned them.
He was arrested in Aguascalientes on October 31 and placed in pretrial detention after a November 3 hearing.
The paintings’ recovery and authenticity have not been reported.
- Who
- Ricardo “N”, accused of fraud involving the paintings.
- What
- A judge ordered him to stand trial for his alleged role in a 25 million-peso art sale fraud.
- When
- The paintings were handed over on December 9, 2020; the judge ordered the case to proceed on November 3.
- Where
- The paintings were handed over in Cuauhtémoc borough, Mexico City. Ricardo “N” was arrested in Aguascalientes.
- Why
- Investigators allege he obtained the paintings by offering properties as payment security with documents that did not establish his ownership.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The victim handed over both paintings in Cuauhtémoc borough after agreeing to a sale for 25 million pesos.
The victim filed a complaint with the Mexico City prosecutor’s office.
Ricardo “N” was arrested in Aguascalientes.
A judge ordered Ricardo “N” to stand trial and remain in pretrial detention, with one month set for the complementary investigation.
The Mexico City prosecutor’s office confirmed the judge’s decision, according to Infobae.
- Accused
- Ricardo “N
- Alleged value
- 25 million pesos
- Paintings attributed to
- Frida Kahlo and David Alfaro Siqueiros
- Handover date
- December 9, 2020
- Arrest location and date
- Aguascalientes, October 31
- Investigation period
- One month for the complementary investigation
2 sources
Posts on X
La #FiscalíaCDMX obtuvo la vinculación a proceso de Ricardo “N”, por su probable participación en un fraude relacionado con la compraventa de dos pinturas atribuidas a Frida Kahlo y David Alfaro Siqueiros, en la alcaldía Cuauhtémoc. La víctima entregó las obras por un precio