FBI investigating 'ancient treasures' missing from UK museum
The US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is investigating hundreds of 'ancient treasures' that went missing from a museum in the UK and are suspected of having been sold to American buyers. Museum officials allege that Higgs committed theft amounting to approximately 100,000 pounds (4 million 100 thousand lira).
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According to a report by the BBC, an unnamed FBI agent stated that they have been providing support to British law enforcement regarding the matter since British Museum officials announced last year that ancient jewelry, stones, and various pieces had gone missing, been stolen, or were damaged from the museum's collection.
British Museum officials announced that over 1,500 pieces had been stolen or gone missing, 626 had been recovered, and 100 had been located but not yet returned.
American law enforcement authorities also assisted in the process of returning 268 pieces belonging to the museum that had been sold to a buyer in Washington.
'AGREES TO DONATE THE ARTIFACTS'
The vast majority of the artifacts that museum officials announced as stolen consist of uncatalogued pieces. For this reason, officials are still looking for ways to prove that these works were stolen from the museum's collection.
In some cases, collectors agree to donate the artifacts so that museum officials can conduct an assessment.
Senior curator Dr. Peter Higgs is accused by British Museum officials of "stealing," "damaging," and "selling" antiquities. Higgs denies these allegations against him.
'100,000 POUND THEFT' ALLEGATION
Museum officials allege that Higgs committed theft amounting to approximately 100,000 pounds (4 million 100 thousand lira).
According to documents in the lawsuit filed by museum officials, it is suspected that Higgs stole and sold mostly unrecorded artifacts from the museum's storerooms for at least 10 years.
Officials estimate that Higgs, who has been dismissed from his post, sold items to at least 45 buyers in the US via the e-commerce site eBay.
Three buyers in the US stated that the seller named "Sultan1966" introduced himself on eBay or via email as "Paul Higgins" or "Paul."
According to court documents, museum officials state that Higgs confessed that the "Sultan1966" account belonged to him.
Tonio Birbiglia from New Orleans reported that he purchased two items from the seller with the handle "Sultan1966."