Two individuals involved in the IM Mastery Academy scheme have agreed to pay a total of $10.5 million to resolve allegations brought by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the State of Nevada. The authorities accused Alex Morton, executive vice president of sales at IM Mastery, and Brandon Boyd, a salesman for the company, of using misleading earnings claims to encourage people to purchase financial training programs and participate in a multi-level-marketing business.
According to the FTC and Nevada's complaint, the operation—recently known as IYOVIA but also operating under names such as IM Mastery Academy, iMarketsLive, and IM Academy—used unsupported promises of high earnings to convince consumers to buy investment training. These claims were also used to persuade individuals to join their multi-level-marketing venture focused on reselling training services. The marketing efforts targeted young people through social media posts that displayed luxury lifestyles supposedly funded by trading profits and commissions.
The FTC stated that Morton and Boyd were among the highest earners in the scheme. Boyd reportedly made nearly $6 million from his involvement and was featured in promotional materials as a “Master Instructor,” despite lacking formal trading expertise or industry credentials. Morton is alleged to have advised other top salespeople on how to make deceptive earnings claims online while avoiding detection by compliance programs or law enforcement.
The proposed order against Morton includes a $76.2 million judgment, suspended after he pays $10 million; if it is found that he misrepresented his finances, the full amount becomes due. Morton is permanently banned from participating in any multi-level marketing related to trading-training services and from offering products with negative-option features unless terms are clearly disclosed and consumer consent is obtained.
Boyd’s order, entered by the court on August 20, 2025, imposes a $6.3 million judgment suspended following his payment of $500,000; like Morton’s case, the entire amount would be required if financial misrepresentation is discovered. He is permanently barred from providing or assisting others in providing education or instruction related to trading-training services.
Both orders prohibit Boyd and Morton from making misleading earnings claims without substantiation; misrepresenting material facts in connection with marketing or selling goods or services; and making false statements about potential earnings during telemarketing activities.
The FTC Commission voted 3-0-1 in favor of approving these stipulated orders, with Commissioner Rebecca Slaughter not participating. The proposed orders were filed in U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada.
Stipulated final orders become legally binding once approved by a district court judge.
The lead staffers for this matter include Tom Biesty, Laura Basford, Ron Brooke, and Josh Doan from the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection.
The Federal Trade Commission continues its work promoting competition while protecting consumers through education about fraud prevention via resources at consumer.ftc.gov and reporting tools at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
