Kerr Kriisa, a former college basketball guard, has been indicted in connection with an alleged $2.2 million wire fraud scheme, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Northern District of West Virginia. Kriisa, an Estonian national currently playing for Tartu Ülikool, was arrested and is scheduled to appear in federal court this week after being charged with five counts of wire fraud, as stated by U.S. Attorney Matthew L. Harvey.
Court documents indicate that from 2022 through June 2, 2026, Kriisa allegedly executed a scheme to defraud multiple victims by using false representations, fabricated identities, and deceptive communications. He is accused of posing as various individuals, including fictional contacts and family members, while claiming that he and his family were in danger, that his mother needed cancer treatment, and that family property required urgent financial assistance.
Kriisa reportedly requested repeated payments from two victims and directed one victim to send money under false pretenses. The alleged fraud took place in Monongalia County, West Virginia, and other locations.
U.S. Attorney Harvey commented on the case, stating that financial fraud schemes undermine trust and harm victims who believed they were assisting someone in need. He emphasized the commitment of the office to pursue individuals who exploit others through deception.
Additionally, Kriisa signed a written agreement in April 2025, promising to repay one victim $100,000 by February 2026, which prosecutors claim was also fraudulent. The government is seeking forfeiture of any proceeds linked to the alleged offenses, including a money judgment of approximately $2.2 million.
Kriisa began his college basketball career at Arizona, playing three seasons with the Wildcats from 2020 to 2023. He transferred to West Virginia for the 2023-24 season and has also played for the Kentucky Wildcats and Cincinnati Bearcats, averaging 8.8 points and 4.4 assists over 127 career games at the Division I level.