A Former Kentucky Guard Allegedly Faked Cancer to Scam Victims Out of $2.2 Million

Ex-college basketball guard Kerr Kriisa was indicted this week on federal fraud charges for allegedly running a $2.2 million scheme that stretched over four years. The Department of Justice says the 25-year-old used some truly grim tactics to separate people from their money.

According to ESPN’s Myron Medcalf, the indictment details claims that Kriisa told one victim his mother needed cash for cancer treatment. In another instance, he allegedly posed as his own mother while asking for money to “save the family’s farm.” The DOJ also says he signed a promise to repay a victim $100,000 using the name “Irene.”

Kriisa was arrested July 3 in Lexington and booked into the Fayette County Detention Center. He’d been preparing to play pro ball in his native Estonia after wrapping up a six-year NCAA career that took him from Arizona to West Virginia to Kentucky to Cincinnati. Now his immediate future looks a lot different.

The college career that ended in handcuffs

Kriisa was never a star in the traditional sense. The 6-foot-3 guard averaged 8.8 points and 4.4 assists for his career, shooting about 36 percent from the floor. But he was a steady presence for some high-profile programs. He spent three years at Arizona when the Wildcats were still Pac-12 contenders, then bounced around as a graduate transfer.

He finished his college eligibility this past season at Cincinnati. Shortly after, he was headed home to play professionally. Instead, he’s now facing a federal indictment that could carry serious prison time.

The government is seeking forfeiture of any money tied to the alleged crimes, including a $2.2 million judgment. That’s a lot of cash for a guy who never made a dime in the NBA.

What happens next

Kriisa’s case is in its early stages. The DOJ laid out a detailed timeline of allegedly fraudulent behavior spanning from 2020 to 2024. The accusations are specific and ugly. At this point, there’s been no conviction, but the paper trail appears extensive.

For a player who spent years in the public eye as a relatively quiet role player, this is a stunning fall. College basketball fans remember Kriisa as the Estonian guard who hit timely threes and ran the offense. The federal indictment tells a different story entirely.

He’ll have a busy year ahead. But not on the court.