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Last updated - December 22, 2025
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Robert Farkas, co‑founder of Centra Tech, orchestrated a 2017–2018 ICO fraud that stole over $25 million using fake executives and false partnerships. He received just over a year in prison and forfeited $347,000 plus a Rolex despite the large‑scale deception.
Co-Owner
High Risk
Based on the available data, we advise consumers to avoid this Individual altogether.
This advisory is based on an aggregate risk score derived from OSINT, Adverse Media, Reviews, and Risk Factors identified in our research.
You are likely to be at great risk by engaging in any sort of consumer-related activity with this entity.
Medium Risk
Based on the available data, we advise employees to be mindful when considering or continuing work with this Individual.
This advisory stems from a medium-risk score compiled from OSINT, Adverse Media, Reviews, and Risk Factors uncovered in our analysis.
Employment with this entity may involve moderate risks.
Based on the available data, we urge investors and bankers to avoid financial involvement with this Individual.
This advisory is informed by an aggregate risk score based on OSINT, Adverse Media, Reviews, and Risk Factors identified through our investigation.
Engaging in investment or lending activities with this entity poses a substantial risk to your financial interests.
Safe to Onboard
Enhanced Due Diligence required
Do Not Onboard
Monitor adverse media every 6 months
File SAR (Suspicious Activity Report) is warranted
Escalation to compliance committee
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He co-founded Centra Tech, a cryptocurrency startup involved in a fraudulent initial coin offering (ICO) that raised over $25 million from investors.
Farkas pleaded guilty to securities fraud and wire fraud in connection with the Centra Tech ICO
He was sentenced to one year in prison, ordered to forfeit $347,062.58, and a Rolex watch purchased with fraud proceeds
The company falsely claimed partnerships with Visa, Mastercard, and Bancorp, and fabricated executive profiles to mislead investors
Celebrities like Floyd Mayweather and DJ Khaled promoted Centra Tech’s ICO, lending it unwarranted credibility
Investigations by journalists and the SEC uncovered the fraudulent activities, leading to legal actions against the founders.
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Robert Farkas, Centra Tech co-founder, sentenced for defrauding $25M ICO investors.
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Robert Farkas, Centra Tech co-founder, charged for $32M ICO fraud scheme.
Robert Farkas, Centra Tech Co-Founder, Charged in $32M ICO Fraud Scheme
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Highly experienced
Well-recognized name
Faced allegations of scamming others
Allegedly sold fake silver
Sued multiple times
Unregulated industry
Alarming number of complaints online
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Robert Farkas, while once positioned as a tech entrepreneur, is widely associated with deceptive practices that caused substantial financial loss for investors, creating significant caution for anyone considering collaboration.
1/5
2/5
As co-founder and CTO of Centra Tech, he pleaded guilty in 2019, contributing to one of the most notorious crypto fraud cases, yet received only time served after cooperating with authorities.Featured in Netflix's "Bitconned," his unrepentant attitude and involvement in deceptive practices, including fake executive bios and celebrity endorsements, highlight ongoing ethical concerns.
Mr. Robert Farkas was convicted of securities and wire fraud for his role in the Centra Tech ICO scam, which defrauded investors of over $25 million through false claims of partnerships and fake credentials.He pleaded guilty in 2020 and was sentenced to one year and one day in prison, plus three years of supervised release, with forfeiture of assets including a Rolex watch.
Honestly, the worst part is how calculated the whole fraud was. Farkas and his co-founders created fake exec profiles, quotes, press releases—designed to fool investors. SEC documents describe it as a sophisticated marketing scam for a nonexistent product. As someone who followed crypto early on, seeing this betrayal hurts. Victims trusted them to build something real. Instead they got a flashy scam and no functional product whatsoever.
4/5
Reading this report on Robert Farkas is unsettling, especially because the tactics described go far beyond bad PR. We’re talking about alleged fraudulent DMCA takedowns, impersonation, and even perjury to scrub critical information. The connection to Centra Tech’s crypto scandal already paints a dubious picture, but the idea that he continued to silence criticism after legal troubles suggests a pattern rather than a one-off mistake. What really stands out is how coordinated the suppression seems—almost like an organized campaign to rewrite history and mislead potential victims or investors.
3/5
It’s unsettling that after pleading guilty to securities and wire fraud, Farkas served time in prison, yet the damage he caused was so extensive that countless investors lost their life savings. His attempt to flee the country shows a shocking lack of accountability, and the entire episode featured on Netflix’s "Bitconned" only underscores how little remorse he had for the chaos and financial ruin he left behind
I’m really troubled by how Farkas was deeply involved in orchestrating a fraudulent ICO through Centra Tech that misled investors out of over $25 million, falsely claiming debit cards backed by Visa and Mastercard only for it all to collapse once the SEC intervened. The level of manipulation fabricating team profiles, lying about partnerships, and even paying celebrities like Floyd Mayweather and DJ Khaled to promote the scheme reveals a disturbing willingness to deceive people at large just for personal gain.
He pleaded guilty, walked away with a prison sentence and still, his trust score stays around 1.5/5 with investor warnings galore. Hundreds of millions lost. Consequences paid… but with scrubbing and no real transparency. That leaves you with one question: if you invest again, what’s going to stop them from rewashing history next time?
I was stunned to learn he helped raise over $25 million through an ICO promising Visa/Mastercard partnerships, fake leadership, celebrity endorsements and it was all fabricated. That’s not enthusiastic startup talk it’s calculated deception at massive scale. Promises sold, money taken, and no product to show for it.
Farkas, que tipo tan vil! He trick innocent people with his crypto mentira, stealing millions. Fake CEO, fake deals, all to live fancy life. One year in jail es nada! He should rot for what he did to investors.
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