Newsmakers

In a scam that sounds stranger than fiction, an Italian man has been sentenced to prison after authorities discovered that the "ancient Roman amphitheatre" he had been charging tourists to visit for years was, in fact, a modern-day fabrication built by himself.

According to multiple European media reports, 69-year-old Franco Malosso von Rosenfranz created the fake archaeological attraction near Vicenza in northern Italy and convinced visitors that it was a long-lost Roman monument dating back to 393 AD. Tourists reportedly paid €40 (around ₹4,000) each for guided tours of the site, believing they were exploring an authentic piece of Roman history.

A Story Built on Fiction
The attraction, known as the Berico Maritime Amphitheatre, was promoted as one of the world's oldest Roman amphitheatres. During guided tours, visitors were treated to elaborate stories involving famous historical figures such as Julius Caesar and Cleopatra, while the site was also falsely linked to Shakespeare's fictional character Juliet Capulet.

Investigators later found that the entire historical narrative had been invented. Archaeologists concluded that the structures had been built using modern materials including fibreglass, stucco, papier-mâché and artificially aged stone blocks designed to resemble ancient ruins.

Hoax Lasted for Years
Authorities said the elaborate deception continued for nearly a decade before experts began questioning the site's authenticity. The fake monument had become convincing enough to feature in tourism promotional material, with many visitors believing they had stumbled upon a remarkable archaeological discovery.

The investigation, launched after suspicions were raised by archaeologists and law enforcement officials, eventually proved that the so-called ruins were of recent construction and had no historical significance.

Prison Sentence and Fine
Following years of legal proceedings, an Italian court sentenced Malosso to two years and four months in prison. He was also fined €3,000 and ordered to remove the illegally constructed structures. Local authorities are reportedly seeking additional damages related to the fraudulent attraction and unauthorized construction.

The case has drawn widespread attention across Europe because of the sheer scale and audacity of the deception. What appeared to be a priceless archaeological treasure turned out to be a carefully staged attraction built from scratch, complete with fabricated historical claims and guided tours that generated revenue from unsuspecting tourists.

While fake souvenirs and tourist traps are common worldwide, investigators say this case stands out for transforming an entirely fictional historical site into a seemingly legitimate tourist destination that fooled visitors—and even found its way into some official tourism promotions—for years.