COLUMBIA (AP) -- South Carolina has ordered a Florida corporation to stop selling securities in what prosecutors think may be a Ponzi scheme.

Attorney General Henry McMaster issued a cease and desist order Tuesday against PPE-Life, Inc. McMaster's office regulates South Carolina's securities industry.

Prosecutors say Rick Crocker of Wilmington, N.C., and John Barter of Ocala, Fla., have held meetings in Sumter to sign up members for an investment opportunity promising hundreds of thousands of dollars in profits.

Prosecutors say PPE-Life promises unrealistic returns by telling members they can earn up to $440,000 a year if they recruit new members.

Barter says PPE-Life is a legitimate business to sell tech products and has about 250 South Carolina members. He says he will appeal.

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