[MSN] Insider theft. Claims About Croesus Treasure Theft

[Museum Security Network Mailinglist]

Claims About Croesus Treasure Theft
Published: 6/2/2006

USAK - The genuine ''Winged Seahorse Brooch'', one of the most precious
pieces of King Croesus' Treasure, was replaced with a fake one prepared in
Iran, it is claimed. 
According to the allegations, a group of people, including the curator of
Usak Museum (in Aegean Region of Turkey) planned to replace the brooch with
a fake one. 

When the cameras and alarm systems were broken down, the brooch was taken
and molded. Only three people had the access to the key of the special
section where the ''Winged Seahorse Brooch'' was kept. 

The genuine brooch was then put into its special section, while the mold was
sent to Iran to be reproduced. Then, the fake brooch was replaced with the
original one. 

Then, four people met the buyers in Turkish metropolis of Istanbul. After
examining the brooch, the buyers pulled their guns, took the brooch and ran
away. Some of the persons who were involved in this theft informed a police
officer in Usak about the developments, and asked for his help. 

In the meantime, letters were sent to Turkish Culture & Tourism Ministry,
Usak Governor's Office and Chief Prosecutor's Office in which it was claimed
that the brooch was changed with a fake one. 

At the end of the investigation, authorities found out that the brooch being
exhibited in the museum was 1 gram heavier than the genuine ''Winged
Seahorse Brooch'', and proved that it was not the original brooch. 

Curator of the museum and nine other people were detained in the operation.
Efforts are under way to arrest three more. 

Croesus was the king of the Lydians in the 6th century B.C. and was the
richest man of his time. The brooch was one of 363 artifacts from King
Croesus' Treasure. 

http://www.turkishpress.com/