A Frisco couple was sentenced to 40 years in federal prison for orchestrating a pandemic-era pyramid scheme that targeted Black investors with false promises of rapid financial returns. Marlon Moore, 39, and LaShonda Moore, 38, were convicted earlier this year on charges of conspiracy, wire fraud, and money laundering in connection with their operation called Blessings in No Time (BINT).

Authorities said the scheme, which began during the COVID-19 pandemic, falsely guaranteed investors returns as high as 800% within weeks. Instead, it operated for about a year and defrauded participants out of roughly $30 million. Prosecutors described the case as a classic example of affinity fraud, where the perpetrators exploited the shared cultural, racial, and religious ties of their victims. The Moores, who presented themselves as “God-fearing,” used religious rhetoric and prayed with investors, fostering trust within Black communities.

BINT was marketed as an investment opportunity with an initial fee of around $1,400, promising returns exceeding $11,000. Members were placed on a multi-level “playing board” divided into fire, wind, earth, and water tiers, with payouts triggered only after recruiting eight new participants to join. This structure mirrored a pyramid scheme rather than a legitimate savings circle like a traditional sou-sou or susu—informal rotating savings groups rooted in West African and Caribbean cultures. Unlike sou-sous, which involve small groups and collectively agreed payouts without recruitment requirements, the Moores’ scheme required continuous recruitment and offered unrealistic returns, eventually collapsing as the participant base dwindled.

The scheme attracted more than 10,000 victims nationwide, according to the Justice Department. Among them was Mica Scott of California, who invested $2,800 despite initial skepticism after hearing about BINT from a friend. Scott later recovered her money, gathered evidence against the scheme, and helped form an online support group for victims. “They messed over a lot of people with no regard or remorse,” she said, highlighting how the Moores paired financial literacy and generational wealth messaging with promises of quick money.

Victims described how trust in the Moores led them to invest substantial sums, often encouraged by personal connections and community leaders. Ty Thompson, a trucking business owner from DeSoto, Texas, invested $8,400 and recruited six others under the belief the program was legitimate. When payouts stalled beyond the promised timeline, Thompson paid back his recruits from his own funds but ultimately lost his business. Similarly, Jennifer Ferguson, 68, from near Tacoma, Washington, was persuaded to invest more than $34,000 after a church minister endorsed the scheme, citing personal testimonials.

The Moores were also subjects of a 2021 lawsuit filed by the Texas attorney general, which accused them of defrauding vulnerable Black families. A joint complaint that year from the Federal Trade Commission and the state of Arkansas further alleged the scheme’s pyramid nature.

Experts say the case underscores how economic pressures, such as rising inflation and limited access to traditional financial services, can make communities more vulnerable to scams. The involvement of trusted community figures and the use of cultural affinity were critical to the Moores’ ability to recruit and defraud so many investors.

The Moores’ lengthy prison sentences have been viewed by many victims as an appropriate measure of justice for a scheme that preyed on faith, race, and the hope of building Black generational wealth.