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Texas Couple Sentenced to 40 Years for $30 Million Pandemic Pyramid Scheme

The sentences reflect prosecutors' view that the BINT operation used livestream pitches and 'playing board' payouts to exploit more than 10,000 victims during the COVID-19 shutdowns.

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The Moores cheated more than 10,000 Americans out of $30 million total at the height of the pandemic. | [Getty Images]

Overview

  • The couple, convicted in January 2026, were sentenced on June 10 and June 11 to 40 years each in federal prison for conspiracy, wire fraud, and money laundering.
  • Prosecutors say Blessings in No Time, or BINT, ran from June 2020 to June 2021 and used four-level 'playing boards' that funneled new participants' $1,400 'blessing' payments to earlier members so the scheme could pay outs.
  • Authorities say the operation promised implausible 800% returns and guaranteed refunds while the Moores placed themselves in top board positions and diverted substantial participant money to their benefit.
  • Federal investigators from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, U.S. Secret Service, and IRS Criminal Investigation led the probe and the Justice Department and the U.S. Attorney's Office prosecuted the case.
  • Officials estimate the scheme victimized more than 10,000 people and caused over $30 million in losses, and the heavy sentences signal stepped-up enforcement of livestream and pandemic-era frauds even as reporting does not detail restitution or asset-forfeiture outcomes.