Italian Private Banking Giant Fideuram Hit by AI Voice Scam, at Least €36 Million Converted Into Crypto

According to the Italian media outlet Milano, in February 2026, former Fideuram Chairman Paolo Molesini received a WhatsApp message impersonating Carlo Messina, CEO of Intesa Sanpaolo Group, followed by a phone call using an AI-generated voice impersonating lawyer Paolo Nastasi. Fideuram is the private banking subsidiary of Intesa Sanpaolo, one of Italy’s largest banking groups.

Molesini then instructed the finance department to transfer approximately €95 million to accounts in mainland China, Hong Kong and other locations. Fideuram later recovered around €40 million, while Portuguese authorities froze an additional €13 million. At least €36 million was subsequently converted into crypto after multiple overseas transfers, and investigators are tracing the funds through international judicial cooperation.

Molesini was not investigated and resigned as chairman on March 12, citing “personal reasons.” — link