Archive · 30 Jul 2026
Italian Conman Builds Fake Roman Amphitheatre, Convicted for Fraud
A man named Franco Malosso built a fake Roman amphitheatre near Vicenza, Italy.
He told visitors it was from the year 393 AD and charged them about 35 pounds for tours.
People thought it was real and even put it in travel guides.
Scientists later found the building was made with modern materials.
Malosso was found guilty, got a prison sentence of a little over two years, and had to pay a fine.
Italian conman Franco Malosso built a faux Roman amphitheatre near Vicenza, Italy.
He charged tourists up to Rs 4,400 (~£35) for guided tours, claiming it dated to AD 393.
Authorities discovered the structure was made of modern materials and artificially aged.
Malosso was convicted of illegal construction, art forgery, and unauthorized works, receiving a 2‑year, 4‑month prison sentence and €3,000 fine.
The hoax was featured in EU travel guides, misleading visitors and local tourism bodies.
- Who
- Franco Malosso von Rosenfranz, an Italian man
- What
- Built a fake Roman amphitheatre, charged tourists, and was convicted of illegal construction and art forgery
- When
- After an investigation began in 2016, Malosso was convicted and sentenced later
- Where
- Vicenza, northern Italy
- Why
- To profit from tourists by presenting a fabricated ancient site
- Conman
- Franco Malosso von Rosenfranz
- Location
- Vicenza, Italy
- Structure
- Fake Roman amphitheatre
- Tourist fee
- Up to Rs 4,400 (~£35)
- Sentence
- 2 years, 4 months prison and €3,000 fine