In 2004, the FBI established a special unit consisting of 16 agents which was dedicated to tracking down stolen works of art. Now, 11 years later, the team is coming off one of its most successful runs with several high value items being recovered including a Stradivarius violin that was stolen in 1980. In one case, a picture that was stolen from a historical society was returned when someone contacted the FBI after buying the work at a thrift store and discovering the truth concerning ownership online. In fact, it is reports such as that which provide many of the clues needed to resolve outstanding theft cases and have been known to come from suspicious buyers to heirs that discovered the true nature of an inheritance once they take possession. Kudos to the Bureau for devoting resources to these types of crime and their recovery of more than $150 million worth of stolen property.
See Dan McCue, FBI Art Crime Team Closes Record Six Months, Courthouse News Service, December 21, 2015.
