Former college basketball player Kerr Kriisa has been arrested and indicted on federal fraud charges, according to a Department of Justice announcement on Monday, July 6, 2026. Authorities allege that the 6-foot-3 Estonian guard, who played for Kentucky, Arizona, West Virginia, and Cincinnati, orchestrated a sophisticated $2.2 million scheme over the past four years.
According to the federal indictment, Kriisa utilized fabricated identities and deceptive communications to solicit funds from multiple victims. Among the allegations, prosecutors state that Kriisa convinced one victim to send money by falsely claiming his mother required cancer treatment. In another instance, he allegedly posed as his mother to solicit funds under the pretense of “saving” a family farm.
U.S. Attorney Matthew L. Harvey addressed the impact of the case, stating, “Financial fraud schemes erode trust and cause real harm to victims who believed they were helping someone in need.” The Department of Justice is currently seeking the forfeiture of proceeds traceable to the alleged offenses, including a money judgment of approximately $2.2 million.
Kriisa, whose collegiate career was often hampered by injuries, finished his final season at Cincinnati. The government’s investigation remains ongoing as they move to hold the former athlete accountable for the alleged deception.