DPNews@DominionPost.com
CLARKSBURG — Former college basketball player and Estonian national Kerr Kriisa was arrested and will appear in federal court this week on five counts of wire fraud, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew L. Harvey.
According to court documents, from 2022 through June 2, 2026, Kriisa, 25, in Monongalia County, West Virginia and elsewhere, allegedly carried out a scheme to obtain nearly $2.2 million from multiple victims using false representations, fabricated identities, and deceptive communications. The indictment alleges that Kriisa posed as various individuals — including fictional contacts and family members — and falsely claimed he and his family were in danger, that his mother needed cancer treatment, or that family property required urgent financial support.
“Financial fraud schemes erode trust and cause real harm to victims who believed they were helping someone in need,” Harvey said. “Our office will continue to pursue individuals who exploit others through deception. We are committed to holding them accountable for their actions.”
Kriisa allegedly requested repeated payments from two victims and, at times, directed one victim to send money to the other under false pretenses. The indictment describes numerous emails and text messages sent as part of the scheme, including five specific wire transmissions tied to the charged counts.
The indictment alleges that, in August 2022, Kriisa falsely told one victim that he had gotten a loan to repay her and then a few months falsely told her he planned to sell his organs to get money to repay her.
In April 2025, Kriisa allegedly signed a written agreement promising to repay one victim $100,000 by February 2026, which prosecutors say was also fraudulent.
Kriisa played basketball for the University of Arizona, West Virginia University, the University of Kentucky, and the University of Cincinnati.
Kriisa led the Pac-12 in assists during his two full seasons at Arizona before transferring to West Virginia. Kriisa was suspended the first nine games of his lone season at West Virginia after admitting he received impermissible benefits while at Arizona.
Kriisa transferred to Kentucky in 2024, but was limited to nine games due to a foot injury. He transferred to Cincinnati for his final year of eligibility and started 12 games before suffering a separated shoulder in February.
The government is seeking forfeiture of any proceeds traceable to the alleged offenses, including a money judgment of approximately $2.2 million.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jarod Douglas is prosecuting the case. The Federal Bureau of Investigation is investigating.
An indictment is merely an allegation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
