New York  - The cultural clone of shamed financial scammer Bernard Madoff has been arrested and charged after help from former tennis great John McEnroe, who reportedly lost 2 million dollars in a fine art fraud.

Mac got mad and then got even after bankrupt Lawrence Salander sold him and others shares in paintings the gallery dealer didn't actually own.

Local media reported that art-mad Mac paid up the big bucks in 2004 for a 50 percent interest in two paintings by abstract expressionist Arshile Gorky, Pirate I and Pirate II.

The deal was simple, with Salander saying he would sell the paintings and split the profit with the tennis great. Instead, he sold the same half interest again to another client, then flogged the painting for 2.5 million dollars, which he pocketed.

Mac went to the attack once he found out through his dealings in the art world, filing a civil suit in 2007 which eventually let to the conman's downfall. Prosecutors said that McEnroe was one of many victims of the fraudster who allegedly swindled up to 88 million dollars from wealthy amateur art fans. (dpa)