Using fabricated identities and deceptive communications claiming his family was in danger or that his mother needed cancer treatments, a former West Virginia basketball player allegedly scammed several people out of a combined $2.2 million.
25-year-old Kerr Kriisa will appear in federal court this week on five counts of wire fraud according to US Attorney Mathew Harvey.
The indictment describes numerous emails and texts that were sent as part of the scheme.
“Financial fraud schemes erode trust and cause real harm to victims who believed they were helping someone in need,” said U.S. Attorney Matthew L. Harvey. “Our office will continue to pursue individuals who exploit others through deception. We are committed to holding them accountable for their actions.”
The government is looking to recover any money traced back to the fraud, including $2.2 million.
Kriisa played for the Mountaineers during the 2023-24 season.
The native of Estonia averaged 11 points and 4.7 assists a game.
Kriisa has also played college basketball for Arizona, Kentucky and Cincinnati.
