Creating a Con: The Story of Bitconned

iHeart True Crime
Creating a Con: The Story of Bitconned

Ad-free, exclusive bonus + early access to new eps

119,00 CZK/mo or 1 190,00 CZK/yr after trial

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)

Trailers

Shows with Subscription Benefits

  • Camp Shane—one of America’s longest running weight loss camps for kids—promised extraordinary results. Campers who began the summer in heavy bodies were often unrecognizable when they left. In a society obsessed with being thin, it seemed like a miracle solution. But there were some dark truths behind  Camp Shane’s facade of happy, transformed children. Kids were being pushed to their physical and emotional limits as the family that owned Shane turned a blind eye. More than 50 years after its founding, host Kelsey Snelling is bringing the real story of Camp Shane to light. In this eight-episode series, she unpacks and investigates stories of mistreatment and reexamines the culture of fatphobia that enabled a flawed system to continue for so long. Along the way, she reveals and weighs the heavy price of shame. Subscribe to Camp Shame so you don't miss an episode and follow us on Instagram @CampShame

    • 0.0 (0)
    • TRUE CRIME

  • For Melissa Moore, 1995 was a nightmare. That’s the year the teenager learned her father, Keith Hunter Jesperson, was a serial killer. It’s also the year Melissa Moore’s doubt spiral began: When you look like your father, and you share his intelligence and charisma, how do you know you’re not a psychopath, too? Happy Face  is the story of Keith Hunter Jesperson, his brutal crimes, and the cat and mouse game he played with detectives and the media. But it’s also the story of the horrific legacy he gifted his children. Join Melissa Moore as she investigates her father’s crimes, reckons with the past, and wades through her darkest fears as she hunts for a better future.  Inspired by Melissa's true-life story, Happy Face is now a Paramount+ Original Series, streaming March 20th. The thrilling drama stars Annaleigh Ashford and Dennis Quaid.

    • 0.0 (0)
    • TRUE CRIME

  • 'Monster: BTK', the newest installment in the 'Monster' franchise, reveals the true story of the Wichita, Kansas serial killer who murdered at least 10 people between 1974 and 1991. Known by the moniker, BTK – Bind Torture Kill, his notoriety was bolstered by the taunting letters he sent to police, and the chilling phone calls he made to media outlets. BTK's identity was finally revealed in 2005 to the shock of his family, his community, and the world. He was the serial killer next door. From Tenderfoot TV & iHeartPodcasts, this is 'Monster: BTK'. **New Episodes release wide every Monday, absolutely free. But if you'd like to hear new episodes early and ad-free, you can get a subscription to iHeart True Crime+. Only $3.99/mo, including a free trial.

    • 0.0 (0)
    • TRUE CRIME

  • What Happened to Talina Zar unravels the chilling mystery of a woman who vanished during the COVID-19 lockdown, the internet sleuths who followed her trail , and the dark subcultures and interpersonal betrayals they unearthed.

    • 0.0 (0)
    • TRUE CRIME

  • Please join our Substack for additional exclusive content, curated book recommendations and community discussions. Sign up FREE by clicking this link Beyond Betrayal Substack. Join our community dedicated to truth, resilience and healing. Your voice matters! Be a part of our Betrayal journey on Substack. Karoline Borega married a man of honor – a respected Colorado Springs Police officer. She knew there would be sacrifices to accommodate her husband’s career. But she had no idea that he was using his badge to fool everyone.  This season, we expose a man who swore two sacred oaths—one to his badge, one to his bride—and broke them both. We follow Karoline as she questions everything she thought she knew about her partner of over 20 years.  And make sure to check out Seasons 1-3 of Betrayal, along with Betrayal Weekly Season 1.

    • 5.0 (2)
    • TRUE CRIME

  • The Greatest True Crime Stories Ever Told S2 is an anthology of the most layered and engrossing true crime stories of female killers, cops, scientists, lawyers, scammers, activists, and more. Hosted by true crime writer, Mary Kay McBrayer, this podcast series tells stories at the intersection of society, justice, and the human psyche, siphoning wisdom and understanding from these truly great stories.

    • 0.0 (0)
    • BOOKS

Ad-free, exclusive bonus + early access to new eps

119,00 CZK/mo or 1 190,00 CZK/yr after trial

View Subscription FAQs

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
    14
  • Seasons
    1
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    2025 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 has not identified itself as a trader for this podcast. If you are a consumer in the European Economic Area, consumer rights do not apply to agreements between you and the provider.

More From iHeart True Crime

You Might Also Like

To listen to explicit episodes, sign in.

Stay up to date with this show

Sign in or sign up to follow shows, save episodes and get the latest updates.
Select a country or region

Africa, Middle East, and India

Asia Pacific

Europe

Latin America and the Caribbean

The United States and Canada