Former West Virginia University basketball guard Kerr Kriisa has been indicted on five counts of wire fraud in connection with a $2.2 million scheme, according to documents unsealed Monday in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia.
Prosecutors allege that beginning in 2022, Kriisa carried out a years-long plan to defraud victims through false identities and fabricated claims, continuing until June 2026.
For one, he allegedly imitated his mother, Kersti Kull. In multiple incidents, he solicited money for supposed cancer treatments, which were false. He also pretended to be “Irene” with the aim of obtaining payments from his second victim. Within a period of three years, he sent repeated emails to “Victim 1.” He claimed that he needed funds to save his family’s farm. By November 2022, he even told the victim that he planned to sell his organs to repay her.
“These financial fraud schemes erode trust and cause real harm to victims who believed they were helping someone in need. Our office will continue to pursue individuals who exploit others through deception,” said U.S. Attorney Matthew Harvey in a statement. Moreover, the indictment cites five wire transmissions tied to the charged counts.
Arrest and background
The FBI arrested Kriisa in connection with the scheme, according to Kentucky Sports Radio. He was arraigned on 7 July in Lexington, Kentucky, and released under strict conditions, including surrendering his passport, subjecting himself to probation supervision, and refraining from contact with victims. He is scheduled to appear in West Virginia federal court on 16 July, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
Additionally, investigators noted that Kriisa “weaponised compassion,” posing as family members and fictional personas to solicit money over four years. The case was built through financial records, emails, text messages, and victim testimony.
Originally from Estonia, Kriisa played six seasons in NCAA Division I basketball. He spent three years at the University of Arizona (2020–23) before transferring to West Virginia, Kentucky, and most recently the University of Cincinnati, where he appeared in 19 games during the 2025–26 season.
His career highlights include leading the Pac-12 in assists for two consecutive seasons at Arizona and scoring a career-high 25 points at Kentucky. Across six seasons, he averaged 8.8 points, 4.4 assists, and 2.2 rebounds per game. Over the July 4 holiday, reports surfaced suggesting Kriisa faced bribery charges related to sporting contests. However, the indictment does not include allegations of point shaving or game-fixing.
For those wondering, Kerr Kriisa was extradited to West Virginia for:
— WV Sports Talk (@SportsTalk_304) July 4, 2026
– conspiracy to commit wire fraud
– wire fraud
– sports bribery
– aiding and abetting (the act of actively encouraging, inciting, or assisting someone to commit a crime or engage in wrongdoing)
Kriisa was… https://t.co/8hL5Og1wPF
Wider betting scandals
The case comes amid heightened scrutiny of sports betting in U.S. college athletics. In Nevada, former DraftKings trader Samuel Silverman faces felony charges for allegedly profiting from deceitful wagers involving ex-Fresno State player Mykell Robinson.
Robinson was permanently banned by the NCAA last September after investigators found he conspired with former roommate Steven Vasquez to place bets on his own statistical “under” totals. The wagers included more than $1,000 in bets during Fresno State’s 91–64 loss to Colorado State in January 2025. The Nevada Gaming Control Board told ESPN it is “actively pursuing” charges, with additional suspects still outstanding.
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