Executive Summary:
- Following a string of at least nine high-profile burglaries targeting prominent National Football League and National Basketball Association (NBA) players, the United States’ Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) issued a formal warning to NFL and NBA executives about criminal organization targeting professional athletes.
- Star NFL quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes of Kansas City and Joe Burrow of Cincinnati, along with Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, have been victims, as have NBA players Bobby Portis of Milwaukee and Mike Conley Jr. of Minnesota. Luka Donic of the Dallas Mavericks is the latest professional athlete to have his home burglarized.
- Professional athletes are encouraged to report suspicious activity, keep records of valuables and there locations, enhance their security posture and use caution on social media.
- The FBI suggests athletes avoid posting pictures of valuables, the interior of their homes and real-time posts when on vacation.
- While the burglaries have only targeted professional athletes, they also pose a risk to the neighborhoods and houses near the athlete residence.
Situation Report (SITREP):
Following a string of at least nine high-profile burglaries targeting prominent National Football League and National Basketball Association (NBA) players, the United States’ Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) issued a formal warning to NFL and NBA executives about criminal organization targeting professional athletes. According to the FBI, transnational organized criminal groups from based in South America are responsible for the burglaries. The thieves run a sophisticated operation and are believed to conduct physical and technical surveillance in preparation for these burglaries, using publicly available information and social media to identify a pattern of life for their target victim. They often know in advance where valuables are kept in a home.
“These preparation tactics 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 report said.
The athletes’ homes are targeted due to the perception they may contain high-end goods, like designer handbags, jewelry, watches and cash, the FBI said in a Liaison Information Report.
In response to the FBI’s report, the NFL and NBA issued security alerts to their players after the break-ins, some of which occurred when players were away with their teams for road games. The NFL’s alert says homes of professional athletes across multiple sports have become “increasingly targeted for burglaries by organized and skilled groups.”
Star NFL quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes of Kansas City and Joe Burrow of Cincinnati, along with Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, have been victims, as have NBA players Bobby Portis of Milwaukee and Mike Conley Jr. of Minnesota. Luka Donic of the Dallas Mavericks is the latest professional athlete to have his home burglarized.
Impact Analysis:
At-risk professional athletes are encouraged to report suspicious activity, keep records of valuables and there locations, enhance their security posture and use caution on social media. The FBI also suggested athletes avoid posting pictures of valuables, the interior of their homes and real-time posts when on vacation. However, while the burglaries have only targeted professional athletes, they also pose a risk to the neighborhoods and houses near the athlete residence. Additionally, while many of the burglaries have occurred when the athletes’ homes are unoccupied, some incidents have occurred while residents are home, creating a home invasion and possible life threatening risk.
Recommended Course of Action:
Professional athletes and their associates should consider developing an increased or elevated security posture. High profile targets should consider enacting or developing a protective intelligence apparatus or geo-fence to monitor threats to executive leadership and personnel. Similarly, residences or offices located near possible targets should develop or review security measures. To find out how to mitigate the risks of politically-motivated or social-justice related violence consider contacting RMS International’s security professionals at ask@rmsiusa.com to develop a customized and resilient protection plan to protect yourself and loved ones, as well as your organization, assets, personnel, operations, and reputation.
About RMS International:
Founded in 2013, RMS International provides ad hoc and contracted close protection, estate security, international travel management, corporate executive protection, personnel and asset security, and discreet investigative services. Operating a state-of-the-art Risk Operations Center in West Palm Beach, they provide 24/7 overwatch of global operations in Asia, Europe, Africa and throughout the Americas. RMS International delivers peace of mind in a chaotic world. Connect with us at RMSIUSA.com.
