After the market price is inflated, they then control the artist to launder money.
For example,
in 2014, a regular piece by young rising star concept artist Richard Toff from New York sold for 5.6 million Pounds.
This was just the starting point of the transaction value for his work.
In the subsequent months, his works were insanely hyped. By March 2015, any of his paintings was auctioned for the astronomical price of 25 million US Dollars.
In just a few months, his works stepped into the ranks of top-tier artists. Then, rumors spread that Richard was involved in money laundering for Latin American drug lords and was being investigated by international anti-money laundering organizations.
"Mr. Xiao Gu, I understand you are a principled person, but there is no need to be overly rigid. Following the straight path, how much money can you make in a lifetime?"
Putting moral judgments aside,
many in the art industry seek such opportunities in vain.
