A Texas couple was sentenced to 40 years after running a $30 million pyramid scheme during the COVID-19 pandemic. Here’s what happened and what can help you avoid similar schemes.
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What Happened?
The couple has also been described in media reports as a reality-TV couple. Marlon Moore had worked as a Dallas-area DJ under the name DJ ASAP.
They ran Blessings in No Time, also known as BINT, a COVID-era pyramid scheme.
The Justice Department said the fraud targeted victims from June 2020 to June 2021, during the pandemic.
The couple was convicted by a jury in January 2026 on conspiracy, wire fraud (using electronic communications to cheat people out of money), and money laundering charges.
Who Lost Money?
Prosecutors said the scheme defrauded more than 10,000 people out of over $30 million.
Many joined BINT after hearing promises of large investment returns during a difficult financial time.
The Justice Department said participants were told they could receive an 800% return.
The source did not say that personal data, passwords, or banking details were exposed in this case.
Even though this case focused on stolen money, personal information still plays a major role in many fraud schemes.
Criminals often use names, phone numbers, emails, or details from earlier data breaches or data leaks to make offers feel trustworthy.
Many people do not realize their information was leaked until strange calls, texts, or emails begin.
If you are not sure whether your information was leaked somewhere online, automatic monitoring can help you spot problems earlier.
Futureproof monitors your data for leaks 24/7 and helps you reduce scam risks with simple, clear steps.
How Did the Moores’ BINT Pyramid Scheme Work?
BINT was a chain-referral pyramid scheme. That means new members paid earlier members, instead of the money coming from real profit.
The Moores promoted BINT through weekly live-stream video broadcasts.
They told participants that each $1,400 payment could lead to much larger returns. They also promised refunds to people who were unhappy.
The scheme placed people on “playing boards” with four levels: Fire, Wind, Earth, and Water.
Once eight new people filled the lower positions, each paid at least $1,400 to the person at the top. That person could receive more than $11,000.
Futureproof keeps your data safer with simple guidance to set a strong password, turn on 2-step verification, and lock down your account.
Check my safetyTo keep earning, participants had to recruit more people.
Prosecutors said the Moores placed themselves where they could collect many of the final payments.
The warning sign was simple: the money depended on recruiting, not on a real product or service.
Why Fast-Money Promises Can Fool Good People
The BINT case shows how fraud can look friendly at first. The scheme was marketed as an invitation-only community that would help people during the pandemic.
That matters because many fraud schemes don’t always begin with a suspicious stranger. They often come through familiar people, groups, videos, or communities.
A polished image can also make a risky offer feel safe.
According to the source, an IRS Criminal Investigation official said the Moores used a polished public image and a reality TV appearance to build trust.
These tactics work because they make an unrealistic offer feel more personal and more believable.
And the risk is not small. According to the FTC, people reported losing more than $7.9 billion to investment scams in 2025. The median individual loss was more than $10,000.
The lesson is simple: fast, huge returns should make you pause, even when the offer comes from someone you know or someone you have seen on TV.
No legitimate investment can safely promise an 800% return with a simple buy-in and no real risk.
3 Simple Ways to Protect Your Money From Investment Fraud
These habits can help protect your money:
1. Watch for guaranteed high returns
Be careful when an offer promises huge returns, fast payouts, or “no risk.”
Real investments can lose money, and honest sellers do not need to promise impossible results.
Before paying, ask how the money is generated. If the answer depends on new members paying in, walk away.
2. Look for recruiting pressure
Pay attention if you must invite others to get paid.
In a pyramid scheme, money usually comes from new recruits, not from a real product or service.
Do not join if your payout depends mainly on bringing in more people.
3. Check the organizer before you pay
Look up the company name, organizer names, and investment terms before you send money.
Search the name with words like “complaint,” “lawsuit,” “pyramid scheme,” or “refund.”
You can also check with your state attorney general or state securities regulator.
A Friendly Offer Can Still Put Your Money at Risk
The BINT case teaches that fraud does not always look obvious. It can come with friendly language, community trust, confident promises, and polished videos.
Before you send money, slow down and ask a simple question: where does the money really come from?
If the answer depends on recruiting more people, that is a serious warning sign.
You do not need to be afraid of every offer. You just need to pause, verify, and protect yourself before money leaves your hands.
At Futureproof, Kevin explains digital safety in simple words, with clear tips and zero fluff. He holds a degree in information technology and studies fraud trends to keep his tips up-to-date.
In his free time, Kevin plays with his cat, enjoys board-game nights, and hunts for New York’s best cinnamon rolls.
