A Texas couple, known for their reality TV fame and religious language, has been convicted of running a massive pyramid scheme that drained $25 million from thousands of victims while pitching a “blessing” circle during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
On Thursday, a federal jury convicted LaShonda Moore, 38, and Marlon Moore, 39, of orchestrating the “Blessings in No Time” (BINT) scam. Prosecutors claim the couple preyed on financial fears during the lockdowns, offering desperate investors 800% returns that never materialized.
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“While many Americans struggled during the COVID-19 pandemic, LaShonda and Marlon Moore orchestrated a lucrative pyramid scheme with the sole aim of enriching themselves,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva.
The “Elements” of Fraud
According to testimony given at trial, the scheme ran from June 2020 until June 2021. The Moores presented BINT as an exclusive, selfless society designed to assist individuals in navigating the economic challenges posed by the pandemic. Through weekly livestreams, they informed potential recruits that a $1,400 “blessing” payment would grow to more than $11,000 in only a few weeks.
The system depended on “playing boards” styled after the elements. New recruits signed up as “Fire,” paying $1,400 to the person in the “Water” position in the center. After collecting eight payments, the “Water” participant cycled out, and the board split, forcing everyone else to recruit new people to climb the ranks from Fire, Wind, Earth, and finally Water.
Prosecutors claimed the math never added up for the participants, just for the Moores. To ensure they profited, the couple positioned themselves and family members at the top of the boards (in the “Water” spots) to collect the majority of the cash, diverting funds intended for the community back into their pockets.
Investigators determined that the Moores specifically targeted the African American community, using their polished image and previous reality TV appearances to create a veneer of respectability.
“The Moores used a polished image… but behind the scenes, they orchestrated a multi-million-dollar pyramid scheme,” said Christopher J. Altemus Jr., Special Agent in Charge of the IRS Dallas Field Office. “This scheme deliberately targeted the African American community, exploiting cultural trust and community ties.”
The repercussions were significant. More than 10,000 people around the country invested in the “blessings,” only to lose their money. U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs described the operation as a “betrayal of trust” and stated that the conviction is a “win” for the thousands of victims who suffered severe losses.
Facing Decades in Prison
The Moores were convicted by the jury of one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, five counts of wire fraud, and three charges of money laundering.
The couple now risks a lengthy prison sentence. They could face up to 20 years in prison on each fraud-related offense, plus an extra ten years for each money laundering charge. A sentencing date has not yet been scheduled.
