The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has announced it is returning more than $666,000 to over 4,200 consumers who were deceived by a high-ticket business opportunity scheme known as Blueprint to Wealth.

While the refunds are a welcome development, the case reveals a deeper, more troubling pattern: the same core scam resurfacing under different names, using slick marketing and false income promises to extract millions from hopeful entrepreneurs.

The Promise: Big Money Without Effort

Blueprint to Wealth was sold as a turnkey online business system capable of generating over $20,000 a month in passive income. The pitch was simple but powerful: pay a one-time fee — in some cases up to $21,000 — plus advertising costs, and a team of “success coaches” would set up your business, run your ads, and handle the sales. You were told you could “sit back” while commissions rolled in from new membership sales.

The marketing leaned heavily on high-gloss videos, webinars, and testimonials that painted a picture of effortless wealth. The message was clear: “We’ve done all the hard work — you just collect the profits.”

The Reality: Empty Promises and Costly Upsells

According to the FTC, the reality was far different. Most participants earned little or nothing. The operators used high-pressure sales tactics to push people into investing quickly, warning that “spots” were limited. They relied on misleading testimonials and cherry-picked success stories to create the illusion of guaranteed results.

When customers failed to make money, the company often blamed them for not working hard enough and then upsold them into even more expensive “advanced” packages. The business model relied heavily on recruiting new members rather than selling a genuine product or service — a hallmark of pyramid-style scheme.

The Operators and Their Many Names

The FTC’s Case named multiple individuals connected to the operation, including Robert William Shafer, Samuel James Smith, and Charles Joseph Garis Jr. Court filings show that Shafer operated through Shafer MM&I and other entities, and that the scheme had been running since 2018 under various brand names.

This tactic — rebranding and rotating program names — is common in the business-opportunity scam and multi-level marketing world. When one brand attracts too many complaints or regulatory attention, the operators simply launch a new name, register a new domain, and recycle the same sales funnel. This makes it harder for consumers to connect the dots and for negative reviews to gain traction.

How the Funnel Worked

Prospects typically entered through online ads or email campaigns, landed on polished sales pages or webinars, and were then routed into high-pressure calls with “coaches.” The funnel followed a predictable pattern:

  • Step 1: Hook with guaranteed income claims and limited-time offers.
  • Step 2: Close the sale with emotional pressure and social proof.
  • Step 3: Deliver minimal real value while encouraging further investment.
  • Step 4: Shift blame for failure onto the buyer and upsell higher-priced packages.

The FTC’s Legal Action

In 2023, the FTC filed a complaint alleging violations of the FTC Act and the Business Opportunity Rule. The defendants agreed to settlements that:

  • Permanently banned them from selling business opportunities or coaching programs that make earnings claims without proof.
  • Required them to pay monetary relief for consumer refunds.
  • Imposed strict compliance and reporting obligations.

Robert W. Shafer agreed to judgment with joint liability of $7.5 million (partially suspended based on financial disclosures), a ban on selling investment opportunities, and a telemarketing ban. Samuel James Smith and Charles Garis Jr. also reached settlements with similar restrictions.

Refunds Now Being Distributed

In September 2025, the FTC began sending refunds via check and PayPal to eligible consumers. The agency stressed that it never asks for fees or personal banking details to issue a refund — a critical warning, as scammers often impersonate the FTC to run secondary frauds targeting victims a second time.

The Blueprint to Wealth case is part of a broader pattern of FTC enforcement against deceptive business opportunities. Similar cases include MOBE (My Online Business Education), Digital Altitude, and Work at Home EDU, all of which used inflated income claims, high upfront fees, and little real value to lure victims.

These cases show that changing names does not change the underlying scam. The sales script, pressure tactics, and false promises remain the same — only the branding shifts.

How to Protect Yourself

If you are considering any business opportunity, take these steps to protect yourself:

  • Be skeptical of guaranteed income claims — legitimate businesses cannot promise specific earnings.
  • Ask for the FTC-required disclosure document and walk away if it is not provided.
  • Research the company and its owners for complaints, lawsuits, or regulatory actions.
  • Avoid offers that use high-pressure tactics to force quick decisions.
  • Understand the business model — if income depends mainly on recruiting others, it is likely a pyramid scheme.

Final Thoughts

The FTC’s refund program for Blueprint to Wealth victims is a victory for consumer protection, but it also underscores the importance of prevention. Once money is lost to a scam, recovery is never guaranteed, even when regulators step in.

By learning to recognize the warning signs and understanding your rights under laws like the Business Opportunity Rule, you can protect yourself — and help others — from falling into the same trap.

By Beth Gibbons (Queen of Karma)

Beth Gibbons, known publicly as Queen of Karma, is a whistleblower and anti-MLM advocate who shares her personal experiences of being manipulated and financially harmed by multi-level marketing schemes. She writes and speaks candidly about the emotional and psychological toll these so-called “business opportunities” take on vulnerable individuals, especially women. Beth positions herself as a survivor-turned-activist, exposing MLMs as commercial cults and highlighting the cult-like tactics used to recruit, control, and silence members.

She has contributed blogs and participated in video interviews under the name Queen of Karma, often blending personal storytelling with direct confrontation of scammy business models. Her work aligns closely with scam awareness efforts, and she’s part of a growing community of voices pushing back against MLM exploitation, gaslighting, and financial abuse.