Creating a Con: The Story of Bitconned

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Creating a Con: The Story of Bitconned

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Creating a Con is a true crime podcast that goes inside the minds of the most prolific modern-day con artist. Their schemes may be new, but their tactics are tried and true.   In Season One, you’ll meet Ray Trapani – a 26-year-old whose schemes targeted pharmacies, exotic cars and payment apps, all stepping stones to his biggest con yet.  In 2017, Trapani and his co-founders created a tech startup that found immediate success. It was endorsed by DJ Khaled and Floyd Mayweather and raised tens of millions of dollars overnight. It was set to disrupt the financial industry and Ray was about to change the world, until he didn't... because Trapani and his business were 100% fraudulent. When the dust settled, it would leave Trapani and his partners fighting for their freedom.  Creating a Con takes you inside the mind of Trapani as he shares first hand of how he put together one of the largest financial frauds in modern history. Inspired by films and shows like Goodfellas, The Sopranos and The Wolf on Wall Street, Trapani lived in the fast lane on Miami's South Beach. He drank, partied and used his way straight to success, leaving a wake of destruction in his path. And that success culminated in the founding of Centra Tech, a start-up that was built on empty promises, fake executives, and millions of dollars from unsuspecting investors. Ray was on the top of the world until it all came crashing down. This podcast reveals the rise and fall of one of the greatest con artists in our lifetime.

  1. S1: E1 – Breaking Bad

    EPISODE 1

    S1: E1 – Breaking Bad

    “For as long as I can remember I was always trying to make a couple pennies.” That’s Ray Trapani, one of the co-founders of the crypto-currency company, Centra Tech. In the premiere episode of Creating a Con: The Story of Bitconned, we hear the origin story of Ray, the guy who, in his own words said, “I always wanted to be a criminal since I was a kid”. Was it destined in his nature? Or would this prolific con artist be shaped by his environment and the influences on his life from an early age?    If you would like to reach out to the Creating a Con team, please email us at creatingaconpod@gmail.com   To get an inside look into Ray Trapani, Centra Tech and all the characters in the podcast, check out Bitconned, exclusively on Netflix… available to stream now.    If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, please call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    33 min
  2. Bonus Episode 1: Netflix's You Can't Make This Up — Bitconned

    EPISODE 1 BONUS

    Bonus Episode 1: Netflix's You Can't Make This Up — Bitconned

    The story of Creating a Con: The Story of Bitconned has also been adapted into a Netflix documentary. Bitconned is available NOW, exclusively on Netflix. To learn more about the production, please take a listen to this encore presentation of Netflix's You Cant Make This Up where host Rebecca Lavoie interviews the documentary's director, Bryan Strokel. Be sure to check out the film, Bitconned, exclusively on Netflix and keep listening to Creating a Con: The Story of Bitconned. Enjoy! At the height of the Bitcoin boom, Ray Trapani and his friends created a debit card for cryptocurrency. Even though the technology didn’t work and the card was a scam, Centra Tech was making millions of dollars a day. But anyone looking at the operation would discover cut-and-paste business plans, fake executives, and glitchy technology.  Bitconned lets Trapani tell his story of fun, fame, and fraud as he awaits sentencing for the first high-profile case of the crypto era. Was it real? No. But did it work? Maybe. In this episode of You Can't Make This Up, host Rebecca Lavoie interviews director Bryan Storkel. SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't watched Bitconned yet, make sure to add it to your watch-list before listening on.  Listen to more from Netflix Podcasts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    38 min
  3. S1: E2 – Rolling the Dice

    EPISODE 2

    S1: E2 – Rolling the Dice

    In Episode 2 – Rolling the Dice, Ray is thriving after starting a new life down in Miami. He traded in his construction uniform for white suits and Alexander McQueens. How did he happen upon this turn of fate? It starts with a new get-rich-quick scheme that turns into a full-blown business. From Venmo to a rental car business called Miami Exotics, it seems like Ray’s life as a career criminal is taking off. And it came with its perks. Ray was renting exotic cars to some of the biggest rappers and athletes in the world. Ray and his partners were at clubs every night and living in the fast lane. However, a few months later, Ray finds himself at a major crossroads in Vegas. 30 Xanex, countless bottles of booze and down $500,000 dollars, Ray found himself in uncharted waters.    If you would like to reach out to the Creating a Con team, please email us at creatingaconpod@gmail.com   To get an inside look into Ray Trapani, Centra Tech and all the characters in the podcast, check out Bitconned, exclusively on Netflix… available to stream now.    If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, please call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.    If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, please call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).   If you or someone you know is struggling with gambling, please call the National Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-GAMBLER.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    36 min
  4. S1: E3 – Heads or Tails

    EPISODE 3

    S1: E3 – Heads or Tails

    Ray is left picking up the pieces of his life and business after his failed Vegas trip. In Episode 3 – Heads or Tails, Ray and a few friends from Miami Exotics set their sights on tackling the unregulated Wild West of the crypto-currency world. Introducing, Centra Tech.    If you would like to reach out to the Creating a Con team, please email us at creatingaconpod@gmail.com   To get an inside look into Ray Trapani, Centra Tech, and all the characters in the podcast, check out Bitconned, exclusively on Netflix… available to stream now.   If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, please call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    24 min
  5. S1: E4 – An Afternoon with Uncle Clif

    EPISODE 4

    S1: E4 – An Afternoon with Uncle Clif

    With Centra Tech preparing to launch their business, a mention in a prominent crypto-currency article takes their company to new heights. However, the author, Clif High, had them mistaken for another company. And the fall-out of this misprint would change everything.  If you would like to reach out to the Creating a Con team, please email us at creatingaconpod@gmail.com  To get an inside look into Ray Trapani, Centra Tech, and all the characters in the podcast, check out Bitconned, exclusively on Netflix… available to stream now.  If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, please call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    32 min
  6. S1: E5 – A Date with the Grey Lady

    EPISODE 5

    S1: E5 – A Date with the Grey Lady

    In Episode 5 - A Date with the Grey Lady, as the Centra Tech team prepare for an impending New York Times exposé, the partners see their control of the company slip away. Meanwhile, we’ll hear from the “CEO” of Centra Tech on how he got roped in to the crypto startup and how it changed his life.   If you would like to reach out to the Creating a Con team, please email us at creatingaconpod@gmail.com   To get an inside look into Ray Trapani, Centra Tech, and all the characters in the podcast, check out Bitconned, exclusively on Netflix… available to stream now.   If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, please call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    34 min
  7. S1: E6 – Big Little Lies

    EPISODE 6

    S1: E6 – Big Little Lies

    Raising $30 million-dollars, playing poker with celebrities, and jet-setting on private planes; it seemed like Ray and the Centra Tech team were on top of the world. Until they weren’t. The pressure from the New York Times article is coming down hard. Has Ray and Centra Tech's luck finally run out?   If you would like to reach out to the Creating a Con team, please email us at creatingaconpod@gmail.com  To get an inside look into Ray Trapani, Centra Tech, and all the characters in the podcast, check out Bitconned, exclusively on Netflix… available to stream now.  If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, please call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    29 min
  8. S1: E7 – Criminal Etiquette

    EPISODE 7

    S1: E7 – Criminal Etiquette

    Centra Tech investors are getting nervous after the release of the explosive New York Times article. Is this the end for the crypto-company? Plus, the Centra Tech team finds themselves in another scam. But this time, they are the ones being duped.   If you would like to reach out to the Creating a Con team, please email us at creatingaconpod@gmail.com  To get an inside look into Ray Trapani, Centra Tech, and all the characters in the podcast, check out Bitconned, exclusively on Netflix… available to stream now.  If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, please call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    32 min
  9. S1: E8 – The United States vs Centra Tech

    EPISODE 8

    S1: E8 – The United States vs Centra Tech

    In Episode 8 - The United States vs. Centra Tech, it’s all fun and games until you’re indicted. As sentencing trials begin to loom closer, we hear what went on behind closed doors and hear the emotional statements from Centra Tech victims.   If you would like to reach out to the Creating a Con team, please email us at creatingaconpod@gmail.com  To get an inside look into Ray Trapani, Centra Tech, and all the characters in the podcast, check out Bitconned, exclusively on Netflix… available to stream now.  If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, please call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    37 min
  10. S1: E9 – Pinnacle of Criminality

    EPISODE 9

    S1: E9 – Pinnacle of Criminality

    In the season finale of Creating a Con, Ray’s epic story of lies, deception, and fraud comes to a head in the courtroom of The Southern District of New York. Looking at the possibility of serving over 150 years in prison, Ray is confronted by the most important day of his life - his sentencing hearing. But the day would come with a twist, one that Ray, his friends, and his family would never expect. One that would change their lives forever.  Stay tuned into the Creating a Con: The Story of Bitconned feed for exclusive bonus content coming soon!  If you would like to reach out to the Creating a Con team, please email us at creatingaconpod@gmail.com   To get an inside look into Ray Trapani, Centra Tech, and all the characters in the podcast, check out Bitconned, exclusively on Netflix… available to stream now.   If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, please call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    42 min
See All Season 1 (10)

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About

Creating a Con is a true crime podcast that goes inside the minds of the most prolific modern-day con artist. Their schemes may be new, but their tactics are tried and true.   In Season One, you’ll meet Ray Trapani – a 26-year-old whose schemes targeted pharmacies, exotic cars and payment apps, all stepping stones to his biggest con yet.  In 2017, Trapani and his co-founders created a tech startup that found immediate success. It was endorsed by DJ Khaled and Floyd Mayweather and raised tens of millions of dollars overnight. It was set to disrupt the financial industry and Ray was about to change the world, until he didn't... because Trapani and his business were 100% fraudulent. When the dust settled, it would leave Trapani and his partners fighting for their freedom.  Creating a Con takes you inside the mind of Trapani as he shares first hand of how he put together one of the largest financial frauds in modern history. Inspired by films and shows like Goodfellas, The Sopranos and The Wolf on Wall Street, Trapani lived in the fast lane on Miami's South Beach. He drank, partied and used his way straight to success, leaving a wake of destruction in his path. And that success culminated in the founding of Centra Tech, a start-up that was built on empty promises, fake executives, and millions of dollars from unsuspecting investors. Ray was on the top of the world until it all came crashing down. This podcast reveals the rise and fall of one of the greatest con artists in our lifetime.

Information

  • Channel
    iHeart True Crime
  • Creator
    iHeartPodcasts and Glass Podcasts
  • Episodes
    13
  • Seasons
    1
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    2024 iHeartMedia, Inc. © Any use of this intellectual property for text and data mining or computational analysis including as training material for artificial intelligence systems is strictly prohibited without express written consent from iHeartMedia
  • Show Website
    Creating a Con: The Story of Bitconned
  • Provider
    iHeartMedia + Entertainment, Inc

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