The FBI has issued a warning to sports leagues about the growing threat of organized crime groups targeting professional athletes’ homes. This alert follows a series of burglaries involving high-profile NFL and NBA players, raising concerns about the security risks athletes face. These burglaries are believed to be motivated by the perception that athletes’ homes contain high-end valuables, such as designer handbags, jewelry, watches, and large sums of cash.
In a Liaison Information Report obtained by NBC News, the FBI highlighted the increasing trend of skilled criminal groups, particularly from South America, targeting athletes due to their public profiles and perceived wealth. The report emphasized that these groups use publicly available information, including social media posts, to track athletes’ schedules and habits, allowing them to identify when players are away from home. The burglars often bypass alarm systems, disable wireless connections, and cover security cameras, making it difficult for athletes to detect intrusions.
Several prominent athletes have fallen victim to these organized theft rings. The latest victim is Luka Dončić, the star guard for the Dallas Mavericks. Dončić’s business manager, Lara Beth Seager, confirmed that his home was burglarized on Friday night while he was away. No one was at the residence at the time, and Dončić has filed a police report. This incident follows a pattern of break-ins targeting athletes’ homes during road games when they are away from their properties.
Other high-profile athletes have also been affected. Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott’s fiancée, Sara Jane Ramos, was recently targeted, and star NFL quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs and Joe Burrow of the Cincinnati Bengals have also had their homes broken into. Additional victims include Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce and NBA players Bobby Portis of the Milwaukee Bucks and Mike Conley Jr. of the Minnesota Timberwolves.
In response to the growing threat, both the NFL and NBA have issued security alerts to their players, advising them to take extra precautions. The FBI’s report encourages athletes to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity. It also advises players to maintain detailed records of their valuables and their locations within their homes. In addition, athletes are urged to enhance their home security measures, such as installing high-tech alarm systems and cameras, and to exercise caution when using social media.
The FBI also recommended that athletes avoid sharing images of their valuables, the interior of their homes, or real-time updates of their whereabouts, particularly when traveling. Social media platforms, where athletes often showcase their lifestyle, have become a prime tool for criminals to track their movements and identify vulnerable targets.
As athletes continue to be targeted by these crime organizations, the FBI’s warning underscores the growing need for heightened security and awareness in the sports world.
