Report a theft

Do not touch the scene, call the police and obtain a report. Look for proof of ownership — invoice, certificate, photographs, correspondence — and for the work's condition. Notify your insurer within the time limits in your contract.

Then open the report on the Desk by choosing "Theft". The form picks up the information from the complaint and asks you to attach the photographs. If the work is registered, the OIMAP number pre-fills some of the fields.

The record comprises the identity of the work, distinguishing marks, the date and place of the theft, the circumstances (break-in, pickpocketing), the report number, the reporter's contact details and an indication of the value. The latter is not published, but it helps to assess the seriousness.

The more complete the description, the more useful the alert. Attach photographs from the front, side and in detail, as well as earlier catalogues or exhibitions in which the work was reproduced. A work published in a book is easy to recognise.

After verification, the alert is published in the database and passed to subscribed operators, authorised law enforcement and INTERPOL. The unit follows the matches and tells the reporter of any serious lead, without compromising the investigation.

In the event of a discovery, the unit coordinates with the police of the country concerned the verification, the seizure and, where appropriate, the restitution. It can also put you in touch with a specialised lawyer if the work was acquired by a good-faith third party.

A complete photographic inventory cuts the time taken to report by several days. For public and private collections, OIMAP recommends an inventory sheet per work, with photographs from several angles, dimensions and distinguishing marks.

Registering works in the OIMAP Registry gives a unique number and a digital passport that make reporting and recognition easier. It is strongly advised for high-value works.