IM Mastery Academy (Iyovia) under scrutiny: FTC lawsuit for billions in damages

With promises of quick riches, the trading academy expanded into dozens of countries. Now the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is suing, and thousands of investors fear they will lose their money.

‘Copy, paste & profit’ – so simple, so tempting. With slogans like these, IM Mastery Academy, now operating under the new name Iyovia, lured countless young people into a business model that, according to the US authorities, may have been operating on the edge of fraud for years.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in the US officially filed a lawsuit on 14 May 2025. The potential damage: more than $1.24 billion since 2018. Founded in the US, IM Mastery Academy presented itself as a digital education platform for trading, cryptocurrencies and e-commerce.

For an initial fee of just under $250 and monthly costs of around $185, the company promised its members a path to financial freedom. At the heart of the offering were online modules and live sessions in which self-proclaimed ‘educators’ allegedly taught profitable strategies in foreign exchange and cryptocurrency trading.

But behind the glossy promises, there appears to be a different reality. According to the FTC complaint filed in May 2025, many of these coaches were neither professionally trained nor successful in trading. Instead of providing serious financial education, the company created a network that put its members under enormous pressure to recruit new investors, often even friends or family members – as is not uncommon in the MLM industry.

Aggressive recruitment, vulnerable target groups

Particularly insidious: the business model is said to have specifically targeted young adults, minors and people of colour, especially Latinos, groups that are often more easily won over by the prospect of financial success. Some former members report online that they were psychologically pressured to recruit their own contacts for the academy. For many, the dream of quick money ended in heavy losses, both from ongoing membership fees and risky trading decisions based on questionable recommendations. The FTC accuses Iyovia of violating several US laws, including the FTC Act, the Telemarketing Sales Rule (TSR) and the Nevada Deceptive Trade Practices Act.

Global expansion – despite growing warnings

Despite growing criticism, the Academy expanded rapidly: IM Mastery/Iyovia was active in over a dozen countries, including the US, Canada, Spain, Italy, Germany, the UK, Africa and large parts of Latin America and Southeast Asia. In Belgium, the financial supervisory authority FSMA had already issued several warnings about the company. German consumer protection agencies also see considerable risks in such MLM structures.

In May 2025, Iyovia unexpectedly announced the end of all MLM activities. In future, it said it would operate as a direct-to-consumer (DTC) provider and terminate all contracts with independent sales partners. The company’s website now states that operations have been discontinued – a statement that critics see as a possible attempt to evade regulatory scrutiny.

Investors are counting on legal action

While a possible trial is still pending, the number of victims organising themselves for possible class action lawsuits is growing. BE Conflict Management Inc. is currently preparing a lawsuit and gathering those affected who wish to join possible legal action. Those affected can contact [email protected]. For many investors worldwide, a ruling against Iyovia could have existential significance, not only financially, but also in the fight against the often opaque methods of dubious multi-level marketing systems.

Whether Iyovia will actually make a fresh start or whether the name change is merely an attempt to ward off legal consequences will likely be decided in the coming months. There is a lot at stake for those affected.

Note: This article is intended solely for informational purposes, journalistic analysis and independent opinion-forming within the meaning of Article 5 of the German Basic Law and Section 51 of the German Copyright Act (UrhG) (right to quote). All information is based on publicly available sources, official communications and careful editorial research. Despite the utmost care, we cannot guarantee the accuracy, completeness or timeliness of the information contained herein.

Companies, individuals or projects are mentioned on the basis of verifiable research and clearly identified expressions of opinion. Publication is protected by the constitutionally guaranteed freedom of the press. Contributing sources are subject to editorial source protection in accordance with journalistic standards.

Sources

• Federal Trade Commission (FTC), press releases and proceedings (2025)
• BusinessForHome.org (income reports)
• Financial supervisory authorities (e.g. FSMA Belgium, FCA UK)
• Company websites and social media presence of IM Mastery Academy/Iyovia
• Testimonials from former members (Reddit, Quora, anti-MLM forums)