Athletes have become prime targets for cybercriminals and scammers, with the industry of defrauding sports stars growing into a billion-dollar business. From phishing attacks to impersonation schemes involving porn stars, the methods are increasingly sophisticated.
The Growing Threat
With major tournaments like the World Cup driving fan desperation for affordable tickets, security firms warn that supporters are at high risk of fraud. However, players themselves face year-round threats from cybercriminals using AI to launch advanced attacks. According to a report by consultancy firm EY, as the sports industry reaches record revenue, the financial incentives to steal from athletes have never been higher. The playbook for fraudsters is becoming more complex, with risks multiplying at every level of sport.
Classic Frauds and New Dangers
Traditionally, wealthy athletes lost money by trusting agents or inner circles who made foolish or fraudulent decisions. A recent example is Ippei Mizuhara, former interpreter for baseball star Shohei Ohtani, sentenced to 57 months in prison for stealing $17 million to repay gambling debts. Similarly, investment adviser Darryl Cohen was convicted in 2025 for defrauding NBA players Chandler Parsons, Courtney Lee, and Jrue Holiday of over $5 million through schemes involving inflated life insurance policies and fake donations.
Today's digital landscape introduces novel risks. The EY report highlights threats like rigged poker tournaments, extortion, embezzlement, identity theft, sports betting fraud, and unauthorized use of Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) rights. Social media, once a tool for fan engagement, now poses security risks—athletes sharing holiday photos can alert burglars to empty homes.
AI and Deepfakes
Dr. Chris Pierson, CEO of cybersecurity firm BlackCloak, explains that athletes are vulnerable to AI-generated deepfakes. High-quality audio and video from post-game interviews can be used for impersonation attacks, such as calling family members pretending to be the athlete. College athletes, allowed to monetize NIL since 2021, share personal details that increase their attack surface.
Targeting Families and Networks
Cybercriminals often target friends, associates, and family members, including children. BlackCloak cites a case where hackers embedded malware in online games played by a basketball player's children, gaining access to the home network and personal devices. A team of 24 senior players can translate into 500 potential targets.
Industry Vulnerabilities
UK National Cyber Security Centre research found that 70% of British sports organizations suffered cyber breaches, double the rate of general businesses. Clubs hold detailed personal data on players and fans. The NBA's Houston Rockets and NFL's San Francisco 49ers faced ransomware attacks. Unlike corporations with dedicated security teams, athletes focus on physical protection, leaving them exposed to phishing scams on mobile devices.
An NFL player had home security cameras installed without adequate password protection, allowing hackers to view footage. Sportspeople are frequent targets for burglary gangs who track game schedules. England forward Raheem Sterling's home was burgled during the 2022 World Cup.
Financial Impact
The FBI IC3 reported over $20 billion in cybercrime losses in 2024, a 26% increase. EY identified nearly $1 billion in alleged losses from professional athletes between 2004 and 2024, likely an undercount. The NFL Players Association offers third-party support for cybercrime issues.
In a bizarre case, Kwamaine Jerell Ford was convicted in 2019 for hacking over 100 Apple accounts of athletes and rappers. While in federal custody, he allegedly posed as adult film star Teanna Trump to trick athletes into sending login credentials, then spent lavishly and coerced a female victim into sex acts. Ford denies charges of fraud, identity theft, and sex trafficking.
Pierson concludes, 'The targeting of high-profile individuals is at an all-time high. AI has accelerated the pace and sophistication of threats.'
