PRESS RELEASE

PYRAMID SELLING: THE ICA SUSPENDS DEXCAR’S MOTOR VEHICLE RENTAL SYSTEM AS PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE

The ICA adopted a precautionary measure against Dexcar Autovermietung UG ("Dexcar") operating in the motor vehicle rental sector, and against companies Raggio Verde s.n.c., Asap Holding S.r.l. (formerly Asapsmarkets Europe S.r.l.), Bizeta Web s.a.s., Tronchin Auto S.r.l. and Trentatre S.r.l.

The evidence gathered so far shows that the system (also called "Programma Marketing Bonus Auto" [Car Marketing Bonus Programme] or "Community car rental free") devised and managed by Dexcar, not only - contrarily to what was promised in advertisements disseminated over the internet - is not free (entailing the payment of a membership fee for an amount between EUR 390 and over EUR 1,700 for each joining member), but is also organised and set up in such a way to replicate the characteristics of pyramid-selling modalities.

In fact, most (if not all) of Dexcar’s potential revenues from car rentals with the "Car Marketing Bonus Programme" are derived from entry fees paid by subscribers. In turn, the latter can reach the goal (that is, the consignment of a rental motor vehicle) only after the subscription (against payment) of other consumers - also recruited by the latter - who then find themselves in the same situation, thus generating considerable revenues for the professionals involved.

Evidence collected by the Authority shows that - despite the shutdown of the website www.dexcar.ch and the launching of criminal proceedings by the Public Prosecutor of Biella - the promotion of Dexcar’s rental system is being carried out on various websites which are still accessible. Moreover, the promotion, management and development of the rental system by Dexcar Autovermietung UG is still ongoing even through the organisation of new training courses for becoming a "Dexcar Advisor" at certain hotels located in central and southern Italy.

On the basis of the evidence collected with the aid of its Special Unit of the Guardia di Finanza, the ICA launched proceedings and the adoption of the precautionary measure.

Rome, 5 August 2016