The domain account.nbimarkets.com has been blocked by the National Commission for Companies and the Stock Exchange (CONSOB) for unauthorized provision of financial services in Italian territory, without the required authorization. This is an unmistakable signal that the platform was operating in violation of current regulations protecting savers. Anyone who has invested money through this site is now in a situation of serious uncertainty, but concrete legal instruments exist to react. This article, prepared by the Criminal Law Attorney H24 office, intends to provide a clear, prudent and useful information framework for anyone involved.
What is account.nbimarkets.com and why was it blocked by CONSOB
CONSOB, by virtue of the powers conferred upon it by Italian regulations and the European MiFID II regulatory framework, has the power to order the blocking of websites offering investment services in Italy without possessing the necessary authorizations. The domain account.nbimarkets.com falls exactly into this category: the Commission found that the site offered financial instruments – typically CFD contracts, forex or cryptocurrencies – to Italian investors, effectively operating as an unauthorized financial intermediary.
The blocking does not automatically equate to proof of fraud in each individual case, but constitutes a serious and precise indication of the unlawfulness of the activity carried out. Anyone who has made payments through this platform has every interest in preserving all available documentation and contacting a lawyer promptly.
- Absence of CONSOB or Bank of Italy authorization for the provision of investment services in Italy
- Violation of the Consolidated Law on Finance (Legislative Decree 58/1998) regarding financial intermediation
- Potential configuration of the crime of unauthorized financial activity pursuant to art. 166 TUF
The typical scheme of online trading fraud: how the scam works
Unauthorized platforms such as those attributable to the domain account.nbimarkets.com almost always follow a tried-and-tested scheme. The victim is contacted through advertisements on social media, messages on messaging apps or calls from alleged 'financial consultants'. Initially, small initial investments appear to generate high and rapid returns, visible on a professionally-looking online control panel. This mechanism serves to gain the investor's trust and push them to deposit increasingly substantial sums.
When the victim attempts to withdraw their funds, problems begin: requests for additional fees, fictitious taxes to be paid in advance, or simply the disappearance of the operators. The balance displayed on the platform does not correspond to any real investment: these are artificially generated figures designed to fuel the illusion of profit.
- Unsolicited initial contact via social media, telephone or instant messaging
- Promises of guaranteed or extraordinarily high returns, prohibited by financial regulations
- Inability to make withdrawals, accompanied by requests for additional payments
- Sudden disappearance of operators and platform inaccessibility
What to do immediately if you have invested on account.nbimarkets.com
Promptness is fundamental in these situations. Every hour that passes can make it more difficult to trace financial flows and subsequent legal action. The first step is to gather and secure all available documentation, without deleting anything.
- Save screenshots of the control panel, chats with alleged consultants and any communication received
- Keep all receipts for bank transfers, credit card top-ups or cryptocurrency transfers
- Record names (even fictitious ones), telephone numbers, email addresses and any other identifying data of the operators
- Do not make any further payments, even if presented as necessary to unlock your funds
- Immediately contact your bank or card issuer to report the transactions and evaluate a possible chargeback
Available legal instruments: criminal complaint and civil actions
On the criminal side, the facts described may constitute several criminal offenses provided for by the Italian criminal code and the Consolidated Law on Finance: aggravated fraud (art. 640 c.p.), money laundering, unauthorized financial activity and, in the most serious cases, criminal association. The filing of a criminal complaint with the Postal Police or the Financial Police allows for the initiation of criminal investigations which, through international rogatory procedures, can lead to the identification of those responsible and the seizure of assets.
On the civil side, it is possible to take action to recover the sums against all subjects who had a role in the payment chain: payment institutions, credit card processors, cryptocurrency exchanges. Civil action can be exercised in parallel with criminal action, joining as a civil party in the proceeding. It is also possible to report the matter to the Banking and Financial Arbitrator (ABF) if Italian banking intermediaries are involved.
- Criminal complaint to the Postal Police (specialized in cybercrime and financial crimes)
- Report to CONSOB and the Bank of Italy for unauthorized activity
- Chargeback action through your bank or credit card issuer
- Joining as a civil party in criminal proceedings for damages compensation
- Report to the Banking and Financial Arbitrator in cases involving Italian banks
Why entrust yourself to a criminal attorney specialized in online fraud
Online financial fraud presents technical and legal complexities that make the assistance of a professional with specific experience in the sector indispensable. The collection of digital evidence, the management of relations with investigative authorities, knowledge of international rogatory procedures and the ability to interact with foreign financial intermediaries are skills that cannot be improvised. The Criminal Law Attorney H24 office operates with a multidisciplinary approach, combining criminal law expertise with knowledge of banking and financial law.
It is important to clarify that no serious professional can guarantee the full recovery of lost sums: the outcome of each proceeding depends on multiple factors, including the location of those responsible and the financial capacity of the subjects involved. What a specialized office can ensure is maximum diligence in analyzing the case, correct formulation of the defensive strategy and protection of the victim's interests in every competent forum.
- Free preliminary analysis of documentation to assess the validity of legal action
- Drafting and filing of criminal complaint with adequate evidentiary support
- Assistance in interactions with banks, payment processors and exchanges
- Constant monitoring of the evolution of criminal and civil proceedings
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Frequently asked questions
Does the fact that account.nbimarkets.com was blocked by CONSOB mean I can recover my money?
The blocking by CONSOB confirms the unlawfulness of the activity carried out by the platform and constitutes an important evidentiary element, but does not automatically guarantee the recovery of invested sums. The possibilities of recovery depend on the traceability of financial flows, the location of those responsible and the legal instruments activated. It is essential to act quickly and rely on a specialized attorney to evaluate the concrete options in your specific case.
I paid by credit card or bank transfer: can I ask my bank for a refund?
If payment was made by credit card or prepaid card, it is possible to activate the chargeback procedure by contesting the transaction as fraudulent. The timeframes and probability of success vary depending on the issuing institution, the circuit used and the time elapsed since the transaction. For bank transfers, the possibilities of direct recovery are generally more limited, but it is not excluded that the bank may cooperate in investigations. In both cases, it is advisable to act without delay and carefully document the situation.
Should I report even if I lost a relatively small amount?
Yes, it is always advisable to file a report, regardless of the amount. Online financial fraud typically affects a large number of victims and aggregated reports allow investigative authorities to build a more solid investigative picture, increasing the likelihood of identifying and prosecuting those responsible. Furthermore, the report is a necessary act in order to subsequently exercise the civil action for compensation and to participate in any procedures for seizure and confiscation of illicit proceeds.