Italy's Companies and Exchange Commission (Consob) has ordered the blocking of access to five unauthorized investment websites, exercising powers granted to the Authority under the "Growth Decree" to act against unauthorized financial intermediaries.
The latest orders target the following websites and related pages: "mibinvestcfd.com" (website https://mibinvestcfd.com and page https://client.mibinvestcfd.com); "Omenyxgroup.com" (website https://omenyxgroup.com and related page https://inv.omenyxgroup.com); "Nexus Ai Group Limited" (website https://nexusaigrouplimited.io and related page https://cfd.nexusaigrouplimited.io); "Pendoxa" (website https://pendoxa.com and related page https://webtrader.pendoxa.com); and "Novate-cfd" (website https://novate-cfd.com and related page https://wt.novate-cfd.com).
Expanded Blocking Measures Since 2019
With these actions, the total number of websites blocked by Consob since July 2019 has risen to 1,723. In July 2019, the Authority was granted the power to order the blocking of websites operated by unauthorized financial intermediaries. Of the total blocked to date, 204 websites concern crypto-related activities.
Consob has applied the powers introduced by the "Growth Decree" to restrict access to these sites. Internet service providers operating in Italy are currently implementing the blocks ordered by the Authority. For technical reasons, the actual blocking of access to the affected websites may take several days before becoming fully effective for all users.
Concerns Over Evolving Deceptive Practices
Consob also highlights the evolution of deceptive practices that exploit the Internet to steal users' money and personal data. According to the Authority, there has been an increase in the use of new tools such as "cloned" emails and websites, fake profiles of political figures and celebrities, and AI-generated content, including images, voices, or videos.
These techniques are used with the aim of inducing savers to make investment decisions that may be harmful. The Authority's measures to block unauthorized websites are part of a broader effort to counter such practices and to protect investors from online frauds and unauthorized financial offerings.
