Fraudster Franco Malosso Sentenced in Italy
A 69-year-old man named Franco Malosso has been convicted in Vicenza, Italy, for constructing a counterfeit ancient Roman amphitheater while posing as a philanthropist, entrepreneur, and orchestra conductor. He charged tourists €40 each for guided tours of the so-called Berico Sea Amphitheater, falsely claiming the structure dated back to 393 AD. Malosso asserted he had uncovered the site after a landslide in 2005, even fabricating stories that Julius Caesar and Cleopatra had visited the amphitheater and that Juliet Capulet supposedly lived in a nearby church.
Exposing the Deception
Suspicions about the authenticity of his tale emerged in 2016 when archaeologists and the Carabinieri determined the amphitheater was built using modern materials such as fiberglass, papier-mâché, plastered concrete blocks, and plaster statues manufactured in the early 2000s. Satellite imagery revealed that Malosso first razed a hill to the ground and then erected the fake structure.
The court found Franco Malosso guilty of illegal construction, art forgery, and erecting structures without proper authorization. His punishment includes a prison sentence of 2 years and 4 months, along with a €3,000 fine. Additionally, the municipality of Arcugnano has filed a civil claim seeking €560,000 in damages.
The news also touches on a separate fraud scheme known as 'selfie theft' that occurred in Benidorm, Spain, targeting women. This case underscores the prevalence of scams in tourist areas, which can take various forms and lead to serious consequences for victims.
The Malosso situation illustrates the severe repercussions of fraud in the tourism sector, where trust in local guides and experts can be easily exploited.
Fabricating historical landmarks not only damages a region's reputation but can also harm genuine cultural sites. At the same time, the Benidorm incident shows that fraudulent schemes in tourist zones are becoming increasingly diverse, urging travelers to exercise greater caution.
Context for English-speaking readers: This case highlights the alarming creativity of tourist scams, where even entire archaeological sites can be faked to exploit visitors' fascination with history.