FRAUDADJACENTMEDIA
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Ozy Media

COO impersonated a YouTube executive on a Goldman Sachs due diligence call

$85M
Capital Raised
8 YRS
Lifespan
Tens of millions defrauded from investors
Body Count

AUTOPSY REPORT

Carlos Watson built Ozy Media on a foundation of lies — inflated metrics, fake partnerships, and fabricated financials. The scheme unraveled when Ozy's COO Samir Rao impersonated YouTube executive Alex Piper on a due diligence call with Goldman Sachs, pretending YouTube wanted to acquire a show . Watson was convicted on all counts — conspiracy, securities fraud, wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft. Sentenced to nearly 10 years and ordered to pay $96M. Investors included Laurene Powell Jobs and Axel Springer. The media company that claimed to cover 'the new and the next' became the next fraud conviction.

DAMAGE: Tens of millions defrauded from investors

TIMELINE

2013-09Ozy Media founded by Carlos Watson
2021-02COO Samir Rao impersonates YouTube exec on Goldman Sachs call
2021-10NYT exposé reveals fraud; Ozy shuts down
2024-07Carlos Watson convicted on all fraud counts
2024-12Watson sentenced to 116 months, ordered to pay $96M

SOURCES

→ DOJ: Carlos Watson Sentenced to 116 Months→ CNBC: Ozy Media Founder Convicted in Fraud Trial→ NPR: Carlos Watson Gets Nearly 10 Years
← BitClout / DeSoShyp →

Satirical project. Not affiliated with Y Combinator. All information from public records.