BEAUMONT, Texas — A Frisco husband and wife have each been sentenced to 40 years in federal prison for operating a massive pyramid scheme that defrauded more than 10,000 victims nationwide out of over $30 million during the COVID-19 pandemic.
On June 9, 2026, LaShonda Moore, 38, and Marlon Moore, 39, were sentenced following their convictions by a federal jury in January 2026 on charges of conspiracy, wire fraud, and money laundering.
Federal prosecutors said the couple created and operated an illegal chain-referral pyramid scheme known as "Blessings in No Time," or BINT, between June 2020 and June 2021.
According to court records, the Moores promoted the scheme through weekly livestream broadcasts that attracted thousands of participants across the country during the height of the pandemic. Prosecutors said they falsely promised participants an 800% return on every $1,400 investment and guaranteed refunds to dissatisfied members.
The scheme was marketed as an invitation-only community focused on helping people financially during the economic hardships caused by the pandemic. Investigators said participants were encouraged to make "blessing" payments to existing members with the promise they would receive eight times their original contribution within weeks.
Federal authorities determined that BINT operated through a tiered structure known as "playing boards." Participants were assigned positions labeled Fire, Wind, Earth, and Water. As new members joined and contributed money, those higher on the board received payouts funded entirely by new recruits.
Once eight new participants filled the lowest level of a board, each was directed to send at least $1,400 to the individual occupying the top "Water" position. That participant would then receive more than $11,000 before lower-level members advanced and were required to recruit additional participants to keep the system operating.
Prosecutors said the Moores repeatedly placed themselves in positions that maximized payouts and diverted substantial amounts of participant funds for their personal benefit.
Investigators determined the scheme generated more than $30 million in losses and victimized over 10,000 people nationwide.
Federal officials said the operation particularly targeted members of the African American community by leveraging personal relationships, community trust, and cultural connections to recruit new participants.
Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva said the couple exploited Americans during one of the most challenging economic periods in recent history.
"At the peak of the pandemic, LaShonda and Marlon Moore launched an investment fraud scheme and cheated struggling Americans out of $30 million," Duva said.
U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs for the Eastern District of Texas described the operation as a "get rich quick" scheme built on unrealistic promises and deception.
The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, U.S. Secret Service, and IRS Criminal Investigation.
Federal prosecutors noted that the lengthy prison sentences reflect the scope of the fraud and the devastating financial impact it had on thousands of victims across the United States.
