Former IRS Employee Allegedly Led Fraudulent Scheme
Kayleigh McEnany details the case of Alios Williams, a former federal employee who defrauded the government of more than $3.5 million through COVID-era relief. Williams, acting as an SBA loan officer, sent direct messages to people on Instagram, promising to approve fraudulent grant applications in exchange for fees.
NEWYou can now listen to PK Press Club articles!
Kerr Kriisa, a former college basketball guard, has been indicted for an alleged $2.2 million fraud, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of West Virginia announced Monday.
Kriisa, an Estonian national who plays for Tartu Ülikool in his country, 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 indicate that from 2022 to June 2, 2026, the 25-year-old allegedly conducted a scheme to obtain nearly $2.2 million from multiple victims “using false statements, fabricated identities, and misleading communications,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office wrote in its press release.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON PK Press Club
Kerr Kriisa of the Cincinnati Bearcats warms up before the game against the Arizona Wildcats at 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 individuals, including fictitious contacts and family members, while falsely claiming that he and his family were in danger. In addition, he allegedly stated that his mother needed cancer treatment or that the family assets required urgent financial support from the victims.
NBA GUARD TERRY ROZIER COULD BE HIT WITH NEW CHARGES IN ALLEGED SCHEME OF GAME
In this case, Kriisa allegedly demanded repeated payments from two of the victims, while also ordering one of the victims to send money under false pretenses.
He reportedly carried out his project in Monongalia County, West Virginia and elsewhere.
Kerr Kriisa of the Cincinnati Bearcats brings the ball up the court during a college basketball game against the West Virginia Mountaineers on February 5, 2026 at Fifth Third Arena in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Joe Robbins/Sportswire Icon)
“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 $100,000 to one of his victims by February 2026. The prosecutor said that instance was also fraudulent.
The government is currently seeking forfeiture of any proceeds attributable to Kriisa’s alleged offenses, which includes a monetary judgment in the amount 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 PK Press Club APP
Kriisa’s college basketball career began in Arizona, as he spent three seasons with the Wildcats from 2020-23. He transferred to West Virginia for the 2023-24 season, while spending time with the Kentucky Wildcats and Cincinnati Bearcats afterward, respectively.
Kriisa averaged 8.8 points and 4.4 assists in 127 career games at the Division I level.
