Frisco Couple Sentenced to 40 Years in Federal Prison for $30 Million 'Blessings' Pyramid Scheme

A Frisco, Texas, couple has been sentenced to 40 years in federal prison for orchestrating a $30 million pyramid scheme that defrauded more than 10,000 people nationwide, federal prosecutors announced. Marlon Moore, 39, and LaShonda Moore, 38, received their sentences after a federal jury convicted them in January 2026 of conspiracy, wire fraud, and money laundering.

According to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Texas, the Moores operated a chain-referral scheme called "Blessings in No Time" (BINT) between June 2020 and June 2021. Prosecutors said the couple used weekly livestream broadcasts, a polished public image, and a reality television appearance to promote the program as an altruistic community designed to assist people during the economic downturn.

The scheme utilized "playing boards" categorized into levels named Fires, Winds, Earths, and Water. Participants were promised an 800% return on a $1,400 "blessing" payment, along with guaranteed refunds. New recruits paid their funds to the "Water-level" member, who would receive more than $11,000 once eight new participants joined. Prosecutors stated that the promised returns and refunds were entirely false, and the Moores placed themselves in advantageous positions on the boards to divert millions of dollars for their personal profit.

Federal officials said the scheme specifically targeted trust within the African American community by exploiting cultural and personal connections during a period of national crisis. The investigation was conducted by IRS Criminal Investigation, the U.S. Secret Service, and the Justice Department's Criminal Division.