Former College Basketball Player Accused of Defrauding Victims of $2.2 Million

Clarksburg, West Virginia – Authorities have arrested Kerr Kriisa, a former college basketball player and Estonian national, who faces federal charges for allegedly orchestrating a scheme that defrauded multiple victims of approximately $2.2 million. The charges, filed in the Northern District of West Virginia, include five counts of wire fraud.

According to court documents, from 2022 until early June 2026, Kriisa allegedly engaged in a fraudulent operation within Monongalia County, West Virginia, and other locations. The indictment details a method of deception that involved fabricating identities and using misleading communications to solicit funds. Kriisa is accused of impersonating various individuals, including fictional personas and even family members, to create false narratives of urgent need. These false pretenses reportedly included claims that he and his family were in danger, that his mother required cancer treatment, or that family property was in immediate need of financial assistance.

The alleged scheme involved repeated requests for payments from two victims. In some instances, Kriisa is accused of directing one victim to transfer money to the other under false pretenses, further complicating the fraudulent transactions. The indictment specifically references numerous electronic communications, such as emails and text messages, that were part of the elaborate scheme. Five distinct wire transfers have been identified as directly linked to the charges. Furthermore, in April of 2025, Kriisa reportedly entered into a written agreement to repay one victim $100,000 by February 2026, an agreement that prosecutors assert was also part of the fraudulent undertaking.

Kriisa’s background includes a notable presence in collegiate basketball, having played for prominent programs such as the University of Arizona, West Virginia University, the University of Kentucky, and the University of Cincinnati. The government is pursuing the forfeiture of any assets that can be traced to the alleged fraudulent activities, including a financial judgment of approximately $2.2 million. The Federal Bureau of Investigation is leading the investigation into the matter, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Jarod Douglas serving as the prosecutor. It is important to note that an indictment is an accusation, and all defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of West Virginia

Video Spotlight