Man Creates 'Thousands-of-Years-Old' Fake Roman Amphitheatre Out of Paper-Mâché and Fiberglass in Italy

An elaborate and bizarre scam in Italy has finally concluded after a man successfully fooled tourists, local administration, and even EU-funded tourism apps with a completely fabricated ancient archaeological site.

Key Highlights:
- The Scam: Franco Malosso 'von Rosenfranz' constructed a fake Roman amphitheatre near Vicenza using modern materials like fiberglass and paper-mâché. He charged tourists 35 pounds (approx. Rs 4,000) entry fee.
- Elaborate False Claims: He claimed the site dated back before 393 AD, inventing stories that Julius Caesar visited and that Juliet Capulet lived there. He even got the site listed on an EU-funded tourism app.
- Exposure & Legal Verdict: Following investigations starting in 2016, archaeological experts exposed the fraud. After a nearly 10-year legal battle, Malosso was sentenced to two years and four months in prison, fined 3,000 euros, and ordered to clear the fake structures.