As a result of a Federal Trade Commission lawsuit, two defendants who helped operate a sprawling business opportunity scheme known by several names, including Blueprint to Wealth, have agreed to settlements that include lifetime bans from pitching money-making and investment opportunities.
The FTC first sued Robert William Shafer and Samuel J. Smith in December 2023, alleging that the two played key roles in the Blueprint to Wealth scheme, which targeted consumers looking to build their own businesses with a program that offers essentially no value other than commissions that come from encouraging others to join the scheme.
“The defendants bilked consumers out of their hard-earned money with false promises that they would operate lucrative online businesses on consumers’ behalf,” said Samuel Levine, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “As these orders make clear, the FTC will continue to go after those who promote and sell worthless business or investment opportunities with phony earnings claims.”
The scheme took millions of dollars from consumers, according to the FTC’s complaint, charging at least $3,000 and as much as $21,000, plus hundreds of dollars in additional “administrative fees,” for membership in the scheme. It nominally promised its members turnkey online businesses that would be operated on their behalf. Those businesses existed only to sell more supposed businesses to more consumers.
The stipulated final order settling the case against Shafer permanently bans him from telemarketing as well as from any role in selling or marketing money-making or investment opportunities. In addition, he is required to turn over cash and the contents of numerous bank accounts.
The stipulated final order setting the case against Smith permanently bans him from any role in selling or marketing money-making or investment opportunities as well as banning him from any involvement with robocalling. Smith is required to turn over cash to the FTC under the stipulated order.
Both Shafer and Smith are subject to monetary judgments totaling more than $7.5 million, which have been partially suspended based on their inability to pay that amount. If they are found to have lied to the FTC about their financial condition, the full amount of the judgment would be immediately due.
The case against other defendants Charles Joseph Garis Jr. and Business Revolution Group is ongoing.
The Commission votes approving the stipulated final orders were 5-0 for both Smith and Shafer. The FTC filed the proposed orders in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
Stipulated final orders have the force of law when approved and signed by a District Court judge.
Staff attorneys Connell McNulty and Lauren Rivard handled this matter for the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection.
The Federal Trade Commission works to promote competition and protect and educate consumers. The FTC will never demand money, make threats, tell you to transfer money, or promise you a prize. Learn more about consumer topics at consumer.ftc.gov or report fraud at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
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