In 2021, British Museum officials were alerted to a potential thief in their ranks.
That year, Ittai Gradel, a Denmark-based dealer in ancient gems, contacted the august London institution with evidence that he said showed that three gems from the museum’s collections had been offered for sale on eBay.
Museum officials were already aware that something was up with one of those artifacts.
Another dealer, Malcolm Hay, had gotten in touch to say he had bought one of the gems but was concerned it was stolen.
The thief must have been someone inside the institution, Mr. Gradel said in an email to the British Museum that has been obtained by The New York Times.
Persons:
Ittai, Malcolm Hay, Gradel, untoward
Organizations:
British, eBay ., British Museum, The New York Times, The Times
Locations:
Denmark, London