After the end of WWII, the Allies discovered several valuable paintings attributed to Vermeer in the residences of high-ranking German officials.
Upon investigation by the relevant staff, it was soon discovered that these paintings were sold by Van Meijeren to these German officials.
Thus, Van Meijeren was detained by the Allies as a Nazi collaborator, awaiting trial.
At this point, Van Meijeren no longer hid anything and quickly jumped out to claim that these paintings were not by Vermeer, but fake paintings he made himself in imitation of Vermeer's style.
Initially, the Allies naturally did not believe him.
However, soon under the witnesses of reporters and the court, Van Meijeren crafted his final forged painting on the spot.
Then, people found that the paintings Van Meijeren created indeed resembled those of Vermeer's that were circulating on the market.
Of course, mere resemblance wasn't enough to clear Van Meijeren of suspicion.
