FBI probes British Museum missing items

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States law enforcement agency, is investigating the sale of numerous items believed to be treasures from the renowned British Museum to buyers in the US.

According to BBC sources, the FBI has already played a role in facilitating the return of 268 items to the British Museum that were allegedly sold to a collector in Washington, DC, prompting concerns regarding their authenticity and origin.

Last year, the British Museum revealed that a significant number of ancient gems, jewelry and other artifacts from its collection were either missing, stolen, or damaged.

A buyer from New Orleans told the BBC that he was contacted by an FBI agent regarding two gemstones he had purchased on eBay.

He said the agent had mentioned working with London's Metropolitan Police to look into the disappearance of items from the museum.

The buyer, who no longer possesses either of the gemstones, said he does not believe the items have yet been discovered by authorities, and said the FBI has not asked him for any further information.

More to be returned

Out of the 1,500 estimated stolen or missing items, the British Museum says it has recovered 626 and located an additional 100, which are yet to be returned.

The British Museum is reported to be currently searching for ways to authenticate uncataloged items believed to have been stolen from its collection, while collectors are being asked to donate items for assessment.

Senior curator Peter Higgs is accused by the British Museum of stealing, damaging, melting down and selling ancient artifacts, which he denies. The museum suspects Higgs pocketed about 100,000 pounds ($127,000) in total.

Based on court records from a civil case filed by the museum against Higgs, it is alleged he had been stealing items for more than a decade, primarily unregistered pieces from the museum's storage.

The museum claims Higgs, who has since been fired from his role, sold items to about 45 eBay buyers. Higgs is contesting the civil suit and no arrests or charges have been made.

According to the BBC report, three buyers have claimed that a seller, operating under the online username "sultan1966" and using names like "Paul Higgins" or "Paul", interacted with them on eBay or via email.