The company opened for business only six months ago. But with gas prices at near-record levels, its product - pills and powders that promised big savings when dropped into a car's gas tank - caught on in no time. Tens of thousands of people lined up to sell the potions, and BioPerformance Inc. took in more than $25 million. The company's founders paid off mortgages, started trust funds for their families and bought luxury cars, boats and Rolexes.
As all of that money changed hands and the good word of mouth spread, Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott says he believes a crucial detail was overlooked: The products didn't work. He shut down Irving-based BioPerformance this month, saying the company built a pyramid scheme around a worthless product made from the same stuff as mothballs.
