(Decanter) - A new eBook warning of the dangers of counterfeit wines has just been published online.

The Wine Forger’s Handbook is by wine journalist Stuart George and art crime expert Dr Noah Charney.

The slim volume gives a short history of forgery and fraud in the wine world, before going on to detail two short case studies covering two of the best known alleged fine wine fraudsters of recent times: Hardy Rodenstock and Rudy Kurniawan.

It also functions as a guide with practical tips and a checklist of actions on how to avoid becoming a victim of counterfeit wine.

The book comes at a time when collector awareness and press interest in the subject of fraud has never been higher, after series of high-profile legal cases.

In a New York court last month, a jubilant Bill Koch was recently awarded US$12m following counterfeit lawsuit against fellow wine collector Eric Greenberg.