ABC News finds accused Master Art Forger, Pei Shen Qian, in the outskirts of Shanghai living in a small apartment.

While still in New York, Pei Shen Qian was under the federal indictment on charges of fraud. It was remembered that during his first television interview, this artist claims that he was shocked with the accusations.

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He is known for painting look-alike masterpieces including works of Abstract Expressionists Mark Rothko and Jackson Pollock. His paintings were able to fool experts in the art world. He also claims that he did not have any knowledge that his works were sold to wealthy collectors as "newly discovered pieces". These paintings could go as high as tens of millions of dollars. 

He said that he intended that his painting would only be copies of the original masterpieces which can be displayed in anyone's household. However, it has been found out that he was lying because according to the jury, Qian has created around 63 look-alike versions of the abstract works of the earlier stated artists.

He also said that he was unfamiliar with the names of the artists however his paintings say otherwise. The artists' names were repeatedly and fraudulently signed on the paintings Qian made.

In the interview with ABC News which has been broadcasted on "World News With Diane Sawyer", he claims that he made these paintings with no idea that they would be represented as the original paintings he copied from.

This news bit is part of ABC News' investigation with regards to the fake art industry including this Long Island fraud that started way back in 1990. This scheme has sold over US$ 80 million.

It has been reported that Qian was recruited by a New York couple during the 1990s who were known as "modern masters of forgery and deceit". Glarifa Rosales, the other half of the tandem, is now cooperating with the authorities.

Qian emphasized that he was paid with a lesser amount of money than what the New York couple actually made. He says that they can check his bank accounts and they won't find any huge amount of money.

Qian was a well-known artist in China years ago and has had a lot of exhibitions and a book published about his life and works. He also says that he spends all his time in a one bedroom apartment creating paintings of his own.

Qian can not indicted by American laws and remains safe because the U.S. has no extradition treaty with his country.

TagsPei Shen Qian, Master Art Forger, ABC NEWS, Long Island scam