FBI to sports leagues: Star athletes' social media bling may attract cross-border burglary crews
The FBI is warning sports leagues that star athletes who display valuables on social media are vulnerable to burglars familiar with their often-public travel schedules.
The FBI is warning sports leagues that star athletes who display valuables on social media are vulnerable to burglars familiar with their often-public travel schedules.
The bureau recently issued the best-practices memo as part of a long-standing practice of communicating with private businesses about crime trends, a U.S. official briefed on the matter said.
The memo, a "liaison information report," urges the leagues to advise athletes to limit imagery of valuables, such as cash, jewels and electronics, on their public accounts, the official said.
Kansas City Chiefs teammates Travis Kelce, left, and Patrick Mahomes during pregame warmups on Aug. 22, 2024.David Eulitt / Getty Images fileStar athletes and their loved ones who have become victims of burglaries this year include Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce and quarterback Patrick Mahomes, Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis Jr., Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Dončić and the fiancée of Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott.
The FBI said the burglaries described in the memo are most likely driven by South American organized theft groups that conduct surveillance, review security measures and target pro athletes believed to have high-value belongings and cash, the source said.
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