The FBI issued a warning to professional sports leagues earlier this month, warning them that the athletes were being targeted by organized crime.
The warning, according to ABC News, comes amid a string of recent burglaries of pro athletes' homes.
"These homes are targeted for burglary due to the perception they may have high-end goods like designer handbags, jewelry, watches, and cash," the FBI stated in a Liaison Information Report.
The FBI report also mentioned that "organized theft groups allegedly burglarized the homes of at least nine professional athletes" between September and November 2024.
"While many burglaries occur while homes are unoccupied," the report continued, "some burglaries occur while residents are home. In these instances, individuals are encouraged to seek law enforcement help and avoid engaging with criminals, as they may be armed or use violence if confronted."
The FBI stated that the groups, hailing from South America, use physical, technical, and online social media surveillance to gain information on their prospective victim so that they can know in advance where valuables in a home may be stored.
"These preparation tactics," the FBI added, "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 FBI has encouraged athletes to report any suspicious activity, keep a record of any valuables, and use caution when posting on social media.
Nick Koutsobinas ✉
Nick Koutsobinas, a Newsmax writer, has years of news reporting experience. A graduate from Missouri State University’s philosophy program, he focuses on exposing corruption and censorship.
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