Abstract：CONSOB blocks 17 crypto scam websites using fake politician ads, raising total blackouts to 1443 since 2019 under the Growth Decree and MiCAR rules.
Italys CONSOB Orders Blackout of Crypto Scam Sites
The Italian Companies and Exchange Commission (CONSOB) has ordered the blocking of 17 websites offering unauthorized financial and crypto-asset services, including three platforms that used deepfake ads featuring prominent politicians.
The watchdog confirmed that the banned sites illegally promoted investment schemes by cloning the faces and voices of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini, Democratic Party leader Elly Schlein, and Action Party leader Carlo Calenda. None of the politicians had any connection to the fraudulent promotions.
Three Deepfake Scam Sites Targeted
CONSOB specifically ordered the blackout of:
- it-more.culinaryjoy.sbs
- ayquozeber.com
- cyberirfy.icu
These platforms were found to be promoting unauthorized crypto and investment services through manipulated political endorsements.
Additional 14 Websites Blocked
Alongside the deepfake sites, CONSOB also shut down 14 other domains offering illegal financial services, including:
- InvestiumGroups – investiumgroupsltd.com
- Protradealliance – protradealliance.com
- Aureo Flowdex – aureo-flowdex.com
- Servelius – servelius.com
- BrokerageAI – brokerageai.org
- ZZCoin – zzcoingy.com
- Ofuyc – multiple cloned domains
- Veltrixmax-invest.com – veltrixmax-invest.com
- Orolonix-invest.com – orolonix-invest.com
Rising Number of Blackouts
Since July 2019, when CONSOB was granted authority under the Decreto Crescita (Growth Decree), the regulator has blocked 1,443 websites linked to fraudulent financial intermediaries. The latest actions also align with the EU‘s MiCAR regulation (2023/1114) and Italy’s Legislative Decree No. 129 of 2024.
About CONSOB
The Commissione Nazionale per le Società e la Borsa (CONSOB) is Italy‘s financial markets regulator. Established in 1974, it oversees securities markets, investment firms, and public offerings. CONSOB’s mandate includes protecting investors, ensuring market transparency, and combating financial fraud. The authority has the power to suspend trading, sanction intermediaries, and block access to websites offering unauthorized financial services.
