> I wonder if it was really a con (which implies intent from the beginning) or if they just got carried away and were then in denial that they were seriously ov

> I wonder if it was really a con (which implies intent from the beginning) or if they just got carried away and were then in denial that they were seriously overextended. I think the latter. It's far too elaborate for a con. And people are very good at persuading themselves that bad things won't happen.