# Fraudulent Roman amphitheater in Italy

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/fraudulent-roman-amphitheater-in-italy
> Updated: 2026-08-31T14:02:14.000Z. Sources: 6. Developments: 2.

An Italian court has finalized the conviction of 69-year-old Franco Malosso for constructing and operating a fraudulent Roman amphitheater near Arcugnano, Italy. Between 2014 and 2016, Malosso operated the site, known as the Anfiteatro Berico, using modern materials like concrete, plaster, and fiberglass to create an illusion of antiquity. He deceived tourists by fabricating historical narratives, falsely claiming the site had links to the Neolithic period and figures such as Julius Caesar.

Malosso, who operated under the pseudonym Franco von Rosenfranz, was sentenced to 28 months in prison and fined €3,000 for crimes including the falsification of works of art and unauthorized construction. While the hoax was uncovered in 2016, the situation remains complex as the structure was built within a nature reserve. Authorities face ongoing challenges regarding the removal of the site, as the costs for demolition and land restoration are currently unfunded.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-31: Italy man exposed for running fake ancient amphitheater tour

A man in Arcugnano, Italy, faces prison after being caught running a fake ancient amphitheater, which he built himself to deceive tourists for two years.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/italy-man-exposed-for-running-fake-ancient-amphitheater-tour

### 2026-08-26: Italy: Man sentenced for building fake Roman amphitheater

Franco Malosso has been sentenced to 28 months in prison for building a fake Roman amphitheater in Italy and charging tourists up to €40 to visit the fraudulent archaeological site.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/italy-man-sentenced-for-building-fake-roman-amphitheater-1

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Cite as: Fraudulent Roman amphitheater in Italy. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/fraudulent-roman-amphitheater-in-italy