Creating a Con: The Story of Bitconned

In "Creating a Con: The Story of Bitconned", we’ll meet Ray Trapani. Ray grew up in a modest shore town outside of New York City. Once a happy-go-lucky kid, Ray's innocent summers on the beach quickly turned to sex, drugs, and schemes. By high school, Ray orchestrated an elaborate opioid prescription scam that made him more money than any sophomore could imagine. Ray's desire for wealth came at an early age and clouded his moral co...

“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 h...

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 per...

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, an...

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 ...

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...

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 R...

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 t...

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 podca...

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 live...

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 listeni...

Introducing American Homicide. American Homicide explores mysterious and iconic murder cases from across America. Whether it’s the spacious skies and vast deserts of New Mexico or the backwaters of the Louisiana Bayou, these murders are connected to their settings. Journalist Sloane Glass leads you through each crime with interviews from the victim's family and investigators.  

Please take a moment to listen and sub...

Introducing American Homicide. American Homicide explores mysterious and iconic murder cases from across America. Whether it’s the spacious skies and vast deserts of New Mexico or the backwaters of the Louisiana Bayou, these murders are connected to their settings. Journalist Sloane Glass leads you through each crime with interviews from the victim's family and investigators.  

Please take a moment to listen and sub...