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CLARKSBURG, W.Va. — Former college basketball player and Estonian national Kerr Kriisa was arrested and will appear in federal court this week on five counts of wire fraud, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew L. Harvey.
According to court documents, from 2022 through June 2, 2026, Kriisa, 25, in Monongalia County, West Virginia and elsewhere, allegedly carried out a scheme to obtain nearly $2.2 million from multiple victims using false representations, fabricated identities and deceptive communications. The indictment alleges that Kriisa posed as various individuals — including fictional contacts and family members — and falsely claimed he and his family were in danger, that his mother needed cancer treatment or that family property required urgent financial support.
“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.”
Kriisa allegedly requested repeated payments from two victims and, at times, directed one victim to send money to the other under false pretenses. The indictment describes numerous emails and text messages sent as part of the scheme, including five specific wire transmissions tied to the charged counts.
In April 2025, Kriisa allegedly signed a written agreement promising to repay one victim $100,000 by February 2026, which prosecutors say was also fraudulent.
Kriisa played basketball for the University of Arizona, West Virginia University, the University of Kentucky and the University of Cincinnati.
The government is seeking forfeiture of any proceeds traceable to the alleged offenses, including a money judgment of approximately $2.2 million.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jarod Douglas is prosecuting the case. The Federal Bureau of Investigation is investigating.
An indictment is merely an allegation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Read the filed indictment here.
