As of right now I suspect this is just an internet hoax that has gotten some traction. Not only can I not find a single reputable news source reporting the story, I also can't find a website for this alleged bank. A Google news search came up blank. But so did a subject search seeking any reference to this so called bank other than the web rumors being reported over the last 2 days or so. You would think even a small bank would have some kind of online reference to its existence... somewhere.
Pending evidence to the contrary I am calling bullshit on this story.
Update: See Michael's comment. I am still looking for more information. If the story checks out I will post a retraction.
2 comments:
Hi. John;
FWIW, here is the website of the "bank" in question (seems legit on the surface?):
http://www.bancanetwork.it/
And here is the notice:
http://www.bancanetwork.it/content/sospensione-dei-pagamenti
If you go to IXQuick and enter "banca network investimenti" you get several hits. So, I think this is a real bank.
More info: The domain was registered in 2007 by an organisation called "Banca Bipielle Network Spa".
The registrar is register.it, which is a large, fairly run-of-the-mill Italian domain name registrar.
It is also worth noting (http://bancanetwork.it/content/procedura-di-amministrazione-straordinaria) that the bank has been in trouble since November of last year, when it was placed into administration. The announcement of 31st May should not therefore come as a total surprise.
I would be inclined to believe that this is indeed a real bank. If it is a hoax, then it was a very long time in planning.
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