Former IRS employee allegedly conducted fraudulent scheme
Kayleigh McEnany details the case of Alios Williams, a former federal employee who defrauded the government of over $3.5 million in COVID-era relief. Williams, who served as an SBA loan officer, sent direct messages to individuals on Instagram promising to approve fraudulent grant applications for a fee.
NEWYou can now listen to Pakinomist articles!
Kerr Kriisa, a former college basketball guard, was indicted 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 who plays for his country’s Tartu Ülikool, was arrested and will appear in federal court this week after being charged with five counts of wire fraud, U.S. Attorney Matthew L. Harvey announced.
Court documents stated that from 2022 to June 2, 2026, the 25-year-old allegedly carried out a scheme to obtain nearly $2.2 million from multiple victims “using false representations, fabricated identities and deceptive communications,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office wrote in its press release.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON Pakinomist
Kerr Kriisa of the Cincinnati Bearcats warms up before the game against the Arizona Wildcats at the McKale Center on January 21, 2026 in Tucson, Arizona. The Wildcats defeated the Bearcats, 77-51. (Chris Coduto/Getty Images)
Kriisa’s indictment alleges that he impersonated several different people, which included fictitious contacts and family members, while falsely claiming that he and his family were in danger. In addition, he allegedly said that his mother needed cancer treatment or that the family estate required urgent financial support from the victims.
NBA GUARD TERRY ROZIER COULD BE SLAMMED BY NEW CHARGES IN ALLEGED HAZARD FIXING SCHEME
Kriisa allegedly solicited repeated payments from two of the victims while also asking one victim to send money under false pretenses in this case.
He allegedly carried out his scheme in Monongalia County, West Virginia and elsewhere.
Kerr Kriisa of the Cincinnati Bearcats brings the ball up court during a college basketball game against the West Virginia Mountaineers on February 5, 2026 at Fifth Third Arena in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire)
“Financial fraud schemes erode trust and cause real harm to victims who thought they were helping someone in need,” Harvey said in the press release. “Our office will continue to pursue individuals who exploit others through deception. We are committed to holding them accountable for their actions.”
Kriisa allegedly signed a written agreement in April 2025 promising to repay one of his victims $100,000 by February 2026. Prosecutors said this case was also fraudulent.
The government is currently seeking forfeiture of any proceeds traceable to the alleged offenses by Kriisa, which includes a money judgment of an estimated $2.2 million.
Kerr Kriisa of the Kentucky Wildcats reacts against the Gonzaga Bulldogs at Climate Pledge Arena on December 7, 2024 in Seattle, Washington. (Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE Pakinomist APP
Kriisa’s college basketball career began in Arizona when he spent three seasons with the Wildcats from 2020-23. He transferred to West Virginia for the 2023–24 season, while also seeing time with the Kentucky Wildcats and Cincinnati Bearcats, respectively, after that.
Kriisa averaged 8.8 points and 4.4 assists across 127 career games at the Division I level.
