The FBI is warning sports leagues about criminal organizations targeting professional athletes following a series of burglaries at the homes of prominent NFL and NBA players.
Athletes’ homes are targeted because of the perception that they may contain high-end items, such as designer handbags, jewelry, watches and cash, the FBI said in a link report obtained by ABC News.
The NFL and NBA issued security alerts to their players after the thefts, some of which occurred when the players were away with their teams for away games. The NFL alert says the homes of professional athletes from multiple sports have become “increasingly targets for burglaries by organized and trained groups.”
Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks is the latest professional athlete to have his home stolen. Lara Beth Seager, the star point guard’s business manager, said Saturday that there was a burglary at Doncic’s home. Seager said no one was there at the time of the incident Friday night and Doncic filed a police report.
Star NFL quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes of Kansas City and Joe Burrow of Cincinnati, along with Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, have been victims, as have NBA players Bobby Portis of Milwaukee and Mike Conley Jr. of Minnesota.
“While many burglaries occur while homes are unoccupied, some occur while residents are home,” the FBI report says. “In these cases, people are encouraged to seek police assistance and avoid engaging with criminals as they may be armed or use violence if confronted.”
Organized theft groups in South America use publicly available information and social media to identify athletes’ habits and track their comings and goings, according to the FBI report. The groups use technology, including Wi-Fi jammers, that allows them to bypass alarm systems, block wireless Internet connections and disable devices, cover security cameras and hide their identities.
“These grooming tactics allow robber groups to carry out robberies in a short period of time,” the FBI report says.
Athletes are encouraged to report suspicious activity, keep records of valuables and where they are kept, employ additional security and exercise caution on social media. The FBI also suggested athletes avoid posting photos of valuables, the inside of their homes, and real-time posts while on vacation.
