The Commissione Nazionale per le Società e la Borsa (Consob) has taken decisive action against five more websites suspected of offering financial services without proper authorization. This move is part of Consob’s ongoing efforts to protect investors from fraudulent online schemes.
Who is the Consob?
The Commissione Nazionale per le Società e la Borsa (CONSOB) is the public authority responsible for regulating the Italian securities market.
Established in 1974, CONSOB’s primary role is to ensure the transparency, efficiency, and protection of investors in Italy’s financial markets.
Blacklisted Websites:
On July 19, 2024 the CONSOB has ordered the black-out of 5 websites:
- First State Investments (Ireland) Limited (www.fsi.cm and webtrader.fsi.cm)
- FTSEInvest (ftseinvest.com)
- Partnersce (partnersce.cm)
- AlfaMarketCapital (alfamarketcapital.com)
- Mestieri Plaza (mestieriplaza.com)
Consob’s Ongoing Efforts to Protect Investors
Since July 2019, Consob has been actively blocking access to fraudulent financial websites within Italy, exercising powers granted under the “Growth Decree.” With this latest action, the total number of blacklisted websites has now reached 1,125.
Investor Alert: Be Vigilant and Do Your Research
Consob urges investors to be extremely cautious and conduct thorough research before engaging with any online financial platform. Always verify that the operator is authorized to provide financial services and that any financial products offered have a published prospectus.
Resources for Investors
To aid investors in identifying potential scams, Consob provides a dedicated “Watch for Scams!” section on its website. This resource offers valuable information and tips to help investors protect themselves from fraudulent financial initiatives.
If you’ve fallen victim to a fraudulent company, here are essential steps you can take to protect yourself and pursue legal recourse. For a comprehensive guide, check out our resource: “Got Scammed by an Online Company? 8 Steps to Follow.”
