NBA warns of possible South American theft rings targeting players, NFL urges stars to secure homes
The NBA warned players to safeguard valuables against "well-organized, sophisticated" transnational crime rings, according to a memo obtained by NBC News on Friday, matching a similar caution issued earlier this week by the NFL.
The NBA warned players to safeguard valuables against "well-organized, sophisticated" transnational crime rings, according to a memo obtained by NBC News on Friday, matching a similar caution issued earlier this week by the NFL.
Security officials with two of the world's most prominent professional sports leagues are on edge following a series of brazen home break-ins that've targeted some of their sports' most well known players.
Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs on Dec. 17, 2023, in Foxborough, Mass.Sarah Stier / Getty Images fileLeon Newsome, the NBA's senior vice president and chief security officer, told league presidents and general managers that league officials have been briefed by FBI agents, who warned that "professional athletes and other high-net-worth individuals" are increasingly being hit by "transnational South American Theft Groups (“SATGs”)."
"These SATGs are reportedly well-organized, sophisticated rings that incorporate advanced techniques and technologies, including pre-surveillance, drones, and signal jamming devices," according to Newsome.
"The SATGs are primarily focused on cash and items that can be resold on the black market, such as jewelry, watches, and luxury bags. The FBI reported that, in most of the incidents, the homes were equipped with alarm systems that were not activated. The FBI also reported that the homes were all unoccupied and, in most cases, no dogs were present."
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