Big Trouble For Couple Whose Pandemic Pyramid Scheme Conned Thousands for $10 Million

When COVID-19 shut the entire world down, many folks got creative with how they’d make their money. One Dallas couple, known for being on reality TV, took things a little too far, and now, it’s time for them to face the music.

In 2023, LaShonda, 35, and Marlon Moore, 37 were accused of running a fraudulent pyramid scheme, preying on thousands of mostly Black folk while raking in millions of dollars for themselves, according to officials. Now, they’re taking responsibility for their actions and pleading guilty to their crimes.

According to the Department of Justice, the illegal scheme founded by the Moores was called “Blessings in No Time” (BINT), where participates were promised a 800 percent return on their investment or refund if they weren’t satisfied, but spoiler alert... that’s not how it all went down.

The couple reportedly designed BINT as a chain-referral pyramid scheme using a so-called “playing board” system, according to their indictment. In order to enter the plot, participants paid $1,400 at the lowest “Fire” level. The goal of the playing board was to move up in the ranks and eventually get to the “Water” level, at which point, you’d cash in big time. Instead, however, the Moores placed themselves and their family members at the Water level, making them the constant and sole ones benefiting the whole time.

The couple got nearly 8,000 people to join in, and as the scam continued, authorities say the Moores raked in $10 million for themselves, according to the Texas Attorney General. Eventually, the scheme collapsed because investors weren’t making any money, leaving many of them in with significant losses.

In June 2021, Attorney General Ken Paxton filed an initial lawsuit against BINT and the Moores for promoting and operating the scam. The case was settled and the couple was ordered to pay at least $450,000, according to court documents.

Paxton claimed the couple used their likeness and past appearance on OWN Network’s “Family or Fiancé” TV show to gain credibility from the public, according to documents.

But wait... there’s more. Authorities eventually got wind of BINT and after a formal investigation, the married couple was charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering in 2023, according to the Department of Justice. They were each facing a 20-year maximum sentence if convicted by a jury.

But in a shocking turn of events, the defendants each pled guilty to one count of money laundering on Jan. 16, 2025. As a result, they won’t go to trial, instead they’ll be sentenced by a judge at a later date.