In the recent premiere of “Bitconned” on Netflix, a disturbing story is unraveled that exposes the plot of deception and fraud by Centra Tech, one of the most prominent cryptocurrency scams.
This documentary offers an inside look at how this company managed to raise millions under false promises during the 2017 cryptocurrency boom.
Centra Tech, touted as an innovative force in the world of cryptocurrencies, turned out to be a scheme built on deception.
Ray Trapani, along with Sohrab Sharma and Robert Farkas, the co-founders, orchestrated an elaborate plan explained on Bitconned
Through an Initial Coin Offering (ICO), they offered their cryptocurrency, Centra, along with a debit card called the “Centra Card.”
This card would supposedly allow users to spend cryptocurrency at stores that accepted Visa.
The company went to great lengths to create a credible facade, including inventing a fictitious CEO and LinkedIn profiles with fake credentials.
Additionally, they claimed partnerships with financial giants such as Bancorp, Visa, and Mastercard, along with licenses in 38 US states.
However, the bubble burst when a New York Times journalist, Nathaniel Popper, exposed Centra Tech’s fundamental flaws.
This discovery triggered a series of investigations that led to the conviction of Trapani, Sharma and Farkas for securities fraud and wire fraud.
Two of the founders, Robert Farkas and Sohrab Sharma, were sentenced to prison, while Ray Trapani collaborated with the FBI and received no sentence for his actions.
The documentary “Bitconned” serves as a vivid reminder of the dangers inherent in the cryptocurrency world during the heyday of ICOs.
It highlights how deceptive projects easily flourish, luring investors with promises of innovative breakthroughs, but without any real backing.
Furthermore, this case highlights the importance of caution when considering investments in the cryptocurrency space.
It shows how unscrupulous companies thrive, defrauding unsuspecting investors in search of lucrative opportunities.
“Bitconned” offers a detailed look at the scam perpetrated by Centra Tech, emphasizing the need for greater oversight and diligence by investors in the changing world of cryptocurrencies.
