Kerr Kriisa, a former college basketball guard, has been indicted on wire fraud charges in connection with an alleged $2.2 million fraud scheme, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of West Virginia announced Monday. Kriisa, an Estonian national, was arrested and is scheduled to appear in federal court.
Court documents state that from 2022 through June 2, 2026, the 25-year-old allegedly engaged in a scheme to obtain nearly $2.2 million from multiple victims by using false representations, fabricated identities, and deceptive communications. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office press release, Kriisa posed as various individuals, including fictional contacts and family members, to solicit funds. He allegedly claimed that he and his family were in danger, that his mother required cancer treatment, or that family property needed urgent financial support.
Kriisa reportedly requested repeated payments from two victims and directed one victim to send money under false pretenses. The indictment alleges that the scheme was conducted in Monongalia County, West Virginia, and other locations. U.S. Attorney Matthew L. Harvey stated in the press release, "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. We are committed to holding them accountable for their actions."
Prosecutors said Kriisa allegedly signed a written agreement in April 2025 promising to repay one victim $100,000 by February 2026, a transaction that was also reportedly fraudulent.
The government is seeking forfeiture of any proceeds traceable to the alleged offenses, including a money judgment of an estimated $2.2 million.
Kriisa's college basketball career included time with Arizona, West Virginia, Kentucky, and Cincinnati. He averaged 8.8 points and 4.4 assists across 127 career Division I games.