Nationwide — Marlon and LaShonda Moore, an African American couple from Frisco, Texas, received 40-year federal prison sentences for allegedly running a $30 million pandemic-era pyramid scheme. They were accused of defrauding more than 10,000 people nationwide through a program promoted during pandemic lockdowns.
LaShonda Moore, 38, and her husband, Marlon, 39, were convicted in January 2026 in federal court. A jury found them guilty of conspiracy, wire fraud, and money laundering tied to their scheme, “Blessings in No Time,” which operated from June 2020 to June 2021.
According to Fox News, prosecutors said the couple lured participants with promises of an 800% return on a $1,400 investment. They also claimed members could get refunds if they were not satisfied. The Moores promoted the scheme through livestreams that reached thousands of viewers across the United States during pandemic shutdowns.
The operation used a structure known as “playing boards,” divided into four tiers labeled Fire, Wind, Earth, and Water. New participants at the Fire level were required to pay at least $1,400 to the person at the Water position. The system depended on constant recruitment to keep payments flowing upward.
Investigators said the scheme spread nationwide and caused more than $30 million in losses. More than 10,000 people were affected. Federal agencies, including the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Secret Service, and IRS Criminal Investigation, worked on the case.
A federal court sentenced both of them to 40 years in prison each. Prosecutors said the operation relied on unrealistic return promises and a recruitment cycle that mainly benefited the couple at the center of the scheme.
