Kerr Kriisa, who previously played for the Kentucky Wildcats during the 2024-25 season and most recently suited up for the Cincinnati Bearcats, has been arrested and indicted as part of a $2.2 million fraud scheme.
Federal prosecutors allege that the 6-foot-3 guard conned victims by using “false representations, fabricated identities, and deceptive communications.”
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Ex-Wildcats Guard Kerr Kriisa Arrested for Fraud
The Department of Justice announced the news of Kriisa’s arrest on Monday, alleging that he requested payments from victims under false pretenses. He also reportedly posed as various individuals, including family members.
Kriisa is said to have made fictional claims that included his family being in danger, his mother needing money for cancer treatment, and family property back home requiring urgent support.
According to court documents, these incidents occurred in West Virginia and elsewhere between August 2022 and June 2026. Federal prosecutors are seeking the “forfeiture of any proceeds traceable” to these offenses.
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“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,” U.S. Attorney Matthew L. Harvey said in a statement.
Kriisa started his basketball career back home in Estonia before playing in the EuroLeague with the Lithuanian team Žalgiris. He then committed to play college basketball in the United States and had a six-year career from 2020 to 2026, during which he played for four programs. He started his NCAA career with the Arizona Wildcats and was considered one of the top European recruits of the class.
After three years in Arizona, Kriisa moved to West Virginia to sign for the Mountaineers. He was on the move again a year later, joining Kentucky. Then, after one season, he made the switch to the Bearcats. His best season in college basketball came in 2023-24 with the Mountaineers, when he averaged 11.0 points, 4.7 assists, and 2.5 rebounds per game.
Kriisa was marred by injuries throughout his college basketball career and managed to play more than 30 games in only two of his six seasons. He averaged 8.8 points, 4.4 assists, and 2.2 rebounds per game in 127 college career games before exhausting his college eligibility following the end of the 2025-26 season.
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According to The Athletic, Kriisa was expected to represent La Familia, the Kentucky alumni team, at The Basketball Tournament this month. However, he will no longer suit up with the team given his legal trouble.
