The FBI is warning sports leagues about organized theft groups who are apparently targeting their players.
The organization said that the homes of professional athletes are being targeted for burglary “due to the perception they may have high-end goods like designer handbags, jewelry, watches, and cash,” ABC News reports via a Liaison Information Report.
The report claims that organized theft groups from South America have burglarized the homes of at least nine professional athletes between September and November 2024 using physical and technical surveillance, public information and social media activity.
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“These preparation tactics enable theft groups to conduct burglaries in a short amount of time. Organized theft groups bypass alarm systems, use Wi-Fi jammers to block Wi-Fi connections and disable devices, cover security cameras and obfuscate their identities,” the report states, via ABC News.
The FBI urges professional athletes to stay alert for suspicious behavior and to prepare accordingly, including taking records of valuable items and being cautious on social media, including avoiding real-time posts revealing locations or providing glimpses into homes.
Dallas Mavericks star Luka Dončić had $30,000 worth of jewelry stolen from his home earlier this month, according to The Dallas Morning News.
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow was also broken into while he was away at a game.
Kansas City Chiefs players Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes‘ homes were burglarized within two days of one another in October as well.
