You’ve seen the video. It’s 2015, and a guy is standing in a cavernous garage in Beverly Hills. "Here in my garage," he says, gesturing toward a black Lamborghini. He talks about "knawledge" and his 67 steps to success. For a decade, that image defined Tai Lopez. But by early 2026, the conversation has shifted from "is he a genius marketer?" to "is he a federal defendant?"
The question of whether Tai Lopez is a scam isn't just a Reddit debate anymore. It's the subject of a massive SEC filing.
Honestly, the "scam" label used to be a matter of opinion. If you bought a $67 course and didn't get rich, was it a scam or did you just not work hard enough? People used to argue that his advice was basically just "repackaged common sense" or "the success principles" borrowed from better authors. But the recent legal drama surrounding his company, Retail Ecommerce Ventures (REV), has turned those whispers into loud, documented allegations of a $112 million Ponzi scheme.
The SEC Lawsuit: Why "Scam" Became a Legal Term
In late September 2025, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) dropped a bombshell. They charged Taino "Tai" Lopez and his partner Alex Mehr with orchestrating a massive fraud. This wasn't about a $7 course on how to read books faster. It was about how they handled $112 million from hundreds of investors between 2020 and 2022.
The business model for REV sounded smart on paper. They bought up dying, iconic brands—think RadioShack, Pier 1 Imports, Dressbarn, and Modell’s Sporting Goods. The pitch was simple: we take these "distressed" brick-and-mortar relics and turn them into lean, mean e-commerce machines.
But the SEC says it was a house of cards.
According to the complaint filed in the Southern District of Florida, Lopez and Mehr told investors these brands were "on fire" and "cash flow strong." In reality? None of the portfolio companies were reportedly turning a profit. To keep the lights on and pay off earlier investors, the feds allege they used new investor money, merchant cash advances, and "intercompany transfers."
That is, by definition, a Ponzi-like structure.
Where Did the $112 Million Go?
People always ask: if it was a scam, where's the money? The SEC doesn't mince words here. They claim Lopez and Mehr misappropriated about $16.1 million for their personal use.
Think about that for a second. While investors were being told their money was "safe" and going toward reviving RadioShack, millions were allegedly being siphoned off to fund the very lifestyle Lopez used to sell his courses. It’s a bit of a "circular economy" of glitz.
The "Assistant" Who Wasn't an Expert
One of the weirder details in the lawsuit involves Maya Burkenroad, the COO of REV. Investors were told she was a seasoned executive with over a decade of experience managing multi-million-dollar companies.
The SEC’s reality check? Her previous experience allegedly included being a preschool substitute teacher, a radio promoter, and an assistant to Lopez. She happens to be his cousin. It’s these kinds of details—the padding of resumes and the "fake it 'til you make it" ethos taken to the extreme—that make the Tai Lopez is a scam argument feel so much more substantial than just "I didn't like his YouTube ads."
The "67 Steps" and the Guru Era
Before the SEC got involved, the "scam" talk was mostly about his courses. You've probably seen the complaints on the Better Business Bureau (BBB). As of late 2025 and early 2026, the complaints are still rolling in.
People report:
- Being charged for "upsells" they never agreed to.
- Monthly subscriptions that are nearly impossible to cancel.
- A "refund queue" that lasts for eight months without a single dollar being returned.
- Courses that are just "rehashed old YouTube videos" behind a paywall.
There’s a pattern here. It’s the "funnel" strategy. He gives you a tiny bit of value for free or cheap, then lures you into an "Ultra Premium" mastermind.
Is the information in the 67 Steps "wrong"? Not necessarily. Most of it is just summaries of books by Charlie Munger, Peter Drucker, or Dale Carnegie. But you’re paying $67 (or $997 for "accelerators") for someone to read you a book you could buy for $15. Some people find that helpful. Others call it a predatory markup on common knowledge.
The 2026 Reality: Is Anything Left?
If you try to visit the sites for the brands REV bought, you'll notice things have changed. Most of those assets, like RadioShack, were eventually seized by creditors and sold off to a new company called Omni Retail Enterprises.
RadioShack's current owners have no ties to Lopez or REV. They're trying to rebuild the brand's reputation after the "crypto pivot" and the "edgy Twitter era" that happened under Lopez’s watch.
Meanwhile, Tai’s social media presence has changed. He’s still "out there," but the tone is different. The bravado is tempered by the reality of "permanent injunctions" and "officer-and-director bars" being sought by the government.
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Actionable Insights: How to Not Get "Lopez'd"
Look, whether you think Tai Lopez is a scam or just a guy who flew too close to the sun, there are lessons to be learned. In 2026, the "fake guru" market is more sophisticated than ever.
- Verify the "Expertise": If someone says their COO has 10 years of experience, check LinkedIn. If they were a substitute teacher three years ago, something is wrong.
- Beware of "Guaranteed" Returns: The SEC lawsuit specifically mentions REV promising 25% annualized returns on unsecured notes. In the real world of finance, a "guaranteed" 25% is almost always a red flag for a Ponzi scheme.
- Check the Refund Policy (The Real One): Don't trust the video. Read the Terms of Service. If the refund requires you to "complete 100% of the course and prove you tried," it’s designed to be un-refundable.
- Use Credit Cards, Not Debits: Many victims in the BBB complaints mention they can't get their money back because they used payment methods with less protection. A credit card chargeback is your best friend when a "guru" stops answering emails.
Tai Lopez might have started with "knawledge," but he ended up in a Florida federal court. Whether he beats the charges or not, the era of the "Lamborghini in the garage" as a symbol of business authority is officially over.
If you're looking to invest or learn, stick to audited financial statements and accredited institutions. A rented mansion is not a balance sheet.
Next Steps:
If you or someone you know invested in Retail Ecommerce Ventures between 2020 and 2022, you should consult with a securities fraud attorney to discuss potential recovery options through the SEC’s fair fund or private litigation. Keep all records of "guaranteed return" promises made in marketing videos or emails, as these are central to the current legal proceedings.