A federal court has sentenced a Texas couple to 40 years in prison each after they were convicted of running a large-scale fraudulent investment operation that prosecutors say defrauded more than $30 million from victims across the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic.
LaShonda Moore, 38, and Marlon Moore, 39, of Frisco, Texas, were found guilty in January 2026 on charges including conspiracy, wire fraud, and money laundering following a jury trial.
Authorities Say Scheme Targeted Vulnerable Victims During Pandemic
Prosecutors described the operation as a deliberately deceptive pyramid scheme launched at a time of widespread financial uncertainty.
Officials said the couple promoted the scheme during the COVID-19 pandemic, when many Americans were facing economic hardship and searching for alternative income sources.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the Moores used that environment to promote what they claimed was a community-based investment opportunity, but investigators say it was structured as a classic chain-referral fraud designed to enrich its founders.
“Blessings in No Time” Operated Through Viral Online Recruitment
The scheme, known as “Blessings in No Time” or “BINT,” was promoted through livestream broadcasts that reached thousands of participants nationwide.
Prosecutors said the couple used social media-style presentations and messaging that portrayed the program as an altruistic financial movement.
Victims were told they could earn returns of up to 800% on a $1,400 payment, with assurances of quick payouts and guaranteed refunds. Authorities say these promises were entirely false and were used to attract continuous waves of new participants.
Pyramid Structure Relied on “Playing Board” System
Court evidence showed that BINT operated using a structured “playing board” model with multiple participant levels labeled as Fires, Winds, Earths, and Water positions.
The system required new participants to be recruited in order to generate payouts for those already in the scheme.
Once a board was filled, participants at the top were paid using money from newer entrants, while others were pushed upward in the cycle and required to recruit additional members to continue the process.
Prosecutors said the Moores positioned themselves within the system to maximize payouts and diverted large sums directly to themselves while maintaining the appearance of a community-driven initiative.
More Than 10,000 Victims and $30 Million in Losses Reported
Investigators estimated that the fraudulent operation affected more than 10,000 individuals nationwide, causing losses exceeding $30 million. Officials said the scheme was heavily promoted as a way to support communities during economic hardship, but instead functioned as a continuous cycle of recruitment-driven payments.
Law enforcement agencies, including the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the U.S. Secret Service, and IRS Criminal Investigation, jointly investigated the case.
Officials emphasized that the sentencing reflects a broader crackdown on pandemic-era fraud schemes that exploited financial insecurity and social trust for personal gain.
Federal Agencies Warn Against Investment Fraud Schemes
Authorities involved in the case condemned the operation, stating that the defendants exploited trust, community networks, and the economic uncertainty of the pandemic period.
Prosecutors argued that the scheme’s structure and marketing were intentionally designed to mislead participants into believing it was a legitimate investment opportunity.
The court’s decision concludes one of the largest pyramid scheme prosecutions in recent years, with federal officials reaffirming that fraudulent investment programs will continue to be aggressively investigated and prosecuted.
