“[Meng] gained the trust of these violin shops by representing himself as a violin collector who wished to purchase the violins,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office wrote in court filings.

A record-breaking Stradivarius has sold for $23 million (£17.8 million), the highest sum ever paid for a violin. The 1715 ‘Baron Knoop’, hailed for its quality, volume and articulation, was crafted ...