ONPASSIVE Review (2026): The $97 AI Opportunity the SEC Called a Pyramid Scheme

ONPASSIVE in One Minute

ONPASSIVE, also called GoFounders and OFounders, was a multi-level marketing company founded by Ashraf "Ash" Mufareh. It sold founder positions for $97 and told members they would earn passive income from subscription fees paid by people they brought in, once its suite of AI-powered marketing apps launched.

In August 2023, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission sued ONPASSIVE and Mufareh, alleging the program was a pyramid scheme that raised more than $108 million from over 800,000 investors. In August 2025, the SEC obtained a final judgment, including disgorgement, civil penalties and an eight-year officer-and-director bar for Mufareh. Here's what happened and what it means if you were invited to join.

How ONPASSIVE Was Supposed to Work

1. Pay $97 to become a "GoFounder".
2. Recruit others to join under you.
3. Wait for ONPASSIVE to launch its AI marketing software.
4. Earn passive income from subscription fees paid by your team once the products launched.

The catch was timing. According to the SEC, as of June 2023 ONPASSIVE had not launched any product for a fee and had not paid a single commission. Members were paying and recruiting for income that depended on a launch that kept getting pushed back.

What the SEC Alleged

The SEC's August 2023 litigation release says the complaint alleged that:

• ONPASSIVE sold positions in a multi-level marketing arrangement for $97, promising passive income from subscription fees paid by later investors.
• The program was a pyramid scheme.
• The company made misrepresentations about the timing of the product launch, likely profits and the legality of its operations.
• It created websites mimicking independent MLM review sites, using similar names and logos, to post positive reviews and counter negative ones.

The Final Judgment

According to the SEC's August 2025 release, the defendants consented to a final judgment without admitting or denying the allegations.

Disgorgement$26.20

Interest$1.20

Penalty (company)$4

Penalty (Mufareh)$4

Why Pre-Launch Recruiting Schemes Are Risky

ONPASSIVE followed a pattern that shows up again and again: pay to reserve a spot before a product exists, recruit others, and wait for a launch that will supposedly make everyone rich. Without real customers buying a real product, the only money coming in is from new members. The FTC explains the warning signs in its guide to multi-level marketing and pyramid schemes.

• Income tied to recruiting rather than retail sales.
• Delayed launches with repeated promises.
• Pressure to grow your team before the product goes live.
• Glowing reviews that are hard to trace to independent sources.

Is ONPASSIVE a Scam?

The SEC alleged it was a fraudulent, unregistered offering structured as a pyramid scheme, and the case ended in a final judgment with injunctions, penalties and disgorgement. We'd steer clear of ONPASSIVE and any program built the same way.

Pros and Cons

If You Were an ONPASSIVE Member

Keep your payment records and any communications. You can report concerns to the SEC or the FTC. Be wary of anyone offering to recover your money for an upfront fee, which is a common follow-up scam.

Who ONPASSIVE Might Suit

No one, in our view. If you want an online business, choose a model where income comes from real customers buying real products or services, not from recruiting.

Our #1 Recommendation for Making Money Online in 2026

If ONPASSIVE isn't the right fit for you, here's what we suggest instead.

After comparing hundreds of programs over the years, we know what works and what doesn't. In fact, most of the business opportunities are either instant cash grab schemes or scams or they require experience. However, this beginner-friendly system stood out and is our #1 recommendation for 2026.

Other Programs Readers Compare

• iBuumerang review: another recruiting-based opportunity.
• inCruises review: a membership program fined in Poland.

Frequently Asked Questions

Our Verdict on ONPASSIVE

ONPASSIVE promised AI-powered passive income for $97, but according to the SEC it never paid a commission and was structured as a pyramid scheme. Avoid it, and be cautious of similar pre-launch opportunities.