hiya,
Back in the 1990's, when I was also part of the dealer co-operative
Freeforms based in Kensington Church Street, London, a few of these came to light (in the USA and in Europe) and they were recognised as copies - and, yes some collectors and dealers had there figures burnt, much to their bank managers distress

I seem to recall that their origin was known, but it illudes my memory at the present. I do know that it's important to have a reliable picture source to relate these pieces to, since the characteristics of the originals and the later versions become quite apparent when carefully compared.
Nigel