Discover the shocking Iyovia MLM scam that defrauded members of $1.2 billion. Learn how the scheme worked, the FTC lawsuit, and warning signs to avoid similar traps.

The Trap Behind the Dream

They called it “the opportunity of a lifetime.”

A sleek logo. Jet-setting leaders. Instagram feeds dripping with gold watches and tropical backdrops. For thousands of young dreamers, especially those hustling to escape the paycheck-to-paycheck lifestyle, Iyovia seemed like the golden ticket.

But behind the hashtags and hype was a business model quietly bleeding its members dry.

In just a few years, Iyovia would go from social media sensation to the subject of a $1.2 billion fraud case, accused of running a sophisticated MLM pyramid scheme that preyed on ambition.

This is the cautionary tale of how chasing the dream can lead straight into the trap; our latest entry in the Passion Pitfall series.

Summary at a Glance

“Iyovia defendants Jason Brown, Matthew Rosa and their company Global Dynasty Network, have settled fraud allegations brought by the FTC and State of Nevada for $36 million.”

• Company History: Formerly IM Mastery Academy; rebranded to Iyovia in Nov 2024
• Allegation: Operated an MLM pyramid scheme, defrauding consumers of over $1.2 billion since 2018.
• Target Demographics: Young Black and Latino consumers, including high schoolers.
• Earnings Reality: 80% earned under $500/year; most made nothing; high dropout rates.
• Instructor Credentials: Instructors unqualified; often using self-taught or YouTube-based training.
• Regulatory Actions: FTC & Nevada AG lawsuit, Bolivia’s ASFI warning, DSSRC inquiry closed due to litigation.
• Outcome: MLM operations terminated May 23, 2025; ongoing legal enforcement and asset preservation.

What Was Iyovia?

Before the world knew the name Iyovia, it knew IM Mastery Academy (and before that, iMarketsLive). Founded by Christopher “Chris” Terry, the company claimed to teach everyday people how to trade forex, cryptocurrency, and other financial markets.

It wasn’t just about education, it was about “freedom.”

• Freedom from the 9-to-5.
• Freedom to travel, and
• Freedom to live the life you see in luxury Instagram posts.

The model? A multi-level marketing (MLM) structure. You could join to buy the courses… or recruit others to join, earning commissions as your “team” grew.

In November 2024, IM Mastery Academy rebranded to Iyovia, a change that many critics believe was an attempt to wipe the slate clean amid growing backlash.

The Lure? Selling a Lifestyle

Iyovia’s marketing machine was pure dopamine:

• Instagram & TikTok Influencers: Flashy cars, rooftop pool selfies, first-class flights.
• Big Promises: “Learn a skill for life.” “Make money anywhere.”
• Community Language: Phrases like “We’re a family” or “This is a movement” made members feel part of something bigger.

Many were drawn in by people they trusted; friends or peers. Others saw the promise of “financial independence” at a time when job instability and side hustle culture were exploding.

The Reality?

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) lawsuit would later allege that Iyovia’s business model relied far more on recruitment fees than on genuine education sales.

According to the complaint:

• 80% of participants earned less than $500 a year, and most earned nothing.
• 60% quit within a month, and 90% left within six months.
• Many so-called “educators” were self-taught or unqualified, often learning from YouTube and Iyovia’s own materials.
• High dropout rates and chargebacks plagued the company, straining relationships with payment processors.

Put simply: if you weren’t recruiting, you weren’t earning.

If you’re tired of scams and ready to build something real, check out Wealthy Affiliate today. It’s a far safer bet than becoming someone else’s downline.

The $1.2 Billion Fraud Case

On May 1, 2025, the FTC, alongside the Nevada Attorney General, filed a lawsuit against Iyovia in U.S. federal court.

The allegations:

• Operating as a pyramid scheme under the guise of selling education.
• Making false and misleading income claims, often portraying lavish lifestyles that the vast majority of members never came close to achieving.
• Targeting young Black and Latino individuals, particularly through social media and in-person rallies.

On the same day, Bolivia’s financial regulator (ASFI) issued a public warning, labeling Iyovia’s activities as pyramid fraud and advising citizens to avoid the company entirely.

The Collapse

Only two weeks after the FTC lawsuit, on May 15, 2025, Iyovia quietly informed its promoters that MLM operations would shut down on May 23.

No big public announcement. No detailed explanation. Just a quiet exit.

Industry watchers suspect the rebrand and sudden closure were strategic moves to shield assets and distance the founders from regulatory heat.

Now “Brown and Rosa must also “fully cooperate” with the FTC and Nevada with respect to their Iyovia fraud case. This includes appearing for any subsequent interviews, hearings and trials of other Iyovia defendants.”

Around the time the FTC and Nevada filed their Iyovia Complaint, Rosa was promoting something called “The Shift.”

A compliance report is due one year from August 8th. This includes disclosing Brown’s and Rosa’s business activities (MLM or otherwise). Which most likely would include disclosing information on their new venture, “The Shift.”

What exactly is The Shift?

According to their website, “The Shift is the evolved digital movement built by top entrepreneurs to help people create scalable income using a modern system – no hype, no fluff, just real leverage.”

That’s pretty vague, and if I were you, I’d keep my distance from this one as well.

“Any change to Brown’s or Rosa’s personal details and/or business activities must be reported to the FTC and Nevada till 2035.” Yikes!

Red Flags in the Iyovia Case

Looking back, the warning signs were clear:

1. Unrealistic Income Claims: “Six figures in six months” is a common scam hook.
2. Recruitment Over Product: If your main “product” is signing up others, it’s a pyramid.
3. Vague Product Value: Courses often lacked depth and could be found free online.
4. High Turnover: Legitimate businesses don’t see 90% of customers leave within six months.
5. Social Proof Pressure: Lifestyle posts can be faked; rented cars and Airbnbs are common props.

Lessons for Ambitious Entrepreneurs

The Iyovia MLM scam is not an isolated case. It’s part of a larger pattern in which companies blur the lines between education, opportunity, and exploitation.

The emotional appeal is powerful: the promise of control over your life, income, and destiny. But ambition without due diligence can make you the perfect target for manipulation.

A Better Way to Build an Online Income

If you’re serious about learning how to make money online, you don’t need to gamble on MLMs or questionable “get-rich-quick” programs.

One legitimate option worth considering is Wealthy Affiliate — a platform that’s been around for nearly two decades, teaching affiliate marketing, SEO, and content creation without recruitment-based earnings.

With Wealthy Affiliate:

• You own your website and brand.
• You learn skills that work in any niche.
• Your income is tied to real product/service sales—not signing up your friends.

Final Thoughts: Passion, Ambition, and Caution

The story of Iyovia isn’t just about one company’s downfall, it’s about a pattern that repeats in different disguises. From “crypto education” to “wellness coaching,” the packaging changes, but the core playbook stays the same: sell the dream, collect the cash, and leave the hopeful holding the bag.

Ambition is a powerful force. But when it’s steered by flashy promises instead of grounded reality, it can drive us straight into the very traps we’re trying to escape.

The best defense? Learn the warning signs. Share the lessons. And remember, anyone who truly wants to see you win won’t need you to buy in first.