Ex-College Basketball Player Arrested in $2.2 Million Fraud Case

Former college basketball player Kerr Kriisa was arrested and indicted in connection with an alleged $2.2 million fraud scheme, the Department of Justice announced Monday. Court documents state Kriisa used false representations, fabricated identities, and deceptive communications to obtain nearly $2.2 million from multiple victims.

Prosecutors allege Kriisa convinced one victim to send money by claiming his mother had been diagnosed with cancer and needed treatment. The indictment further states he posed as his mother to tell another victim he needed funds to save the family farm.

Kriisa also allegedly acted as a woman named Irene to sign a false promise to repay $100,000 by a February deadline. In 2022, he is accused of telling a victim he planned to sell his organs to obtain repayment money.

Kriisa, originally from Estonia, played college basketball at Kentucky, Cincinnati, West Virginia, and Arizona over six seasons. In the 2025-26 season he averaged 5.8 points and 3.0 assists per game for Cincinnati before a shoulder injury ended his year in February.

"Financial fraud schemes erode trust and cause real harm to victims who believed they were helping someone in need," U.S. Attorney Matthew L. Harvey said in the press release. "Our office will continue to pursue individuals who exploit others through deception.

" The government is seeking forfeiture of any proceeds traceable to the alleged offenses, including a money judgment of approximately $2.2 million against Kriisa.