Italian Regulator CONSOB Blocks Six Unauthorized Investment Websites, Cites AI Fraud Tools

Italy's Companies and Exchange Commission (CONSOB) announced that it has issued orders requiring internet service providers to block access to six unauthorized financial investment websites. This action targets platforms that were illegally offering financial intermediation services or carrying out abusive brokerage advertising campaigns.

The regulator highlighted the evolving nature of online fraud, noting that deceptive operators are now utilizing sophisticated tools. CONSOB specifically drew investors' attention to fraudulent practices that "exploit the internet and social media to steal users' money and personal data." Tactics observed include the use of cloned messages and websites, fake profiles of famous people, and "content generated by artificial intelligence systems – such as images, voices, or videos – with the aim of luring investors into a trap."

The following are blocked websites:

"Mrx Capital Trading" (website https://mrxcapitaltrading.co and related page https://trading-area.mrxwebtrading.co);

"FtseWebTrader" (website www.ftsetradeai.com and related pages https://client.ftsetradeai.com and https://webtrader.ftsetradeai.com);

"Aurora Trade Limited" (website https://aurora-trade.io and related page https://cfd.aurora-trade.io);

"Horizon Options247" (website https://horizonoption247.com);

"Aitrade24" (website https://aitrade24.net and related page https://webtrader.aitrade24.net);

"https://paladinoselegancia.com – Bitplex".

The latest orders were issued using powers granted to CONSOB under the "Growth Decree" (2019) and supplemented by the "Capital Law" (2024). Since receiving the authority to block fraudulent websites in July 2019, the total number of sites blacked out by the regulator has now risen to 1,496.