FBI Issues Warning to Pro Athletes on Rising Home Burglaries by Organized Theft Groups

In December 2024, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) issued a formal warning to professional sports leagues, including the NFL and NBA, regarding organized theft groups targeting athletes' homes. These groups, often originating from South America, exploited publicly available information and social media to monitor athletes' schedules, identifying times when homes were unoccupied during games or road trips.

The FBI's alert followed a series of burglaries beginning in September 2024, affecting at least nine professional athletes. Notable incidents included break-ins at the residences of Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and tight end Travis Kelce in October, and Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Dončić in December. In each case, the athletes were away from home during the burglaries.

According to the FBI, these organized theft groups conducted extensive surveillance using publicly available information and social media to identify athletes' habits and track their movements. They employed advanced techniques to bypass security measures, including bypassing alarm systems, using Wi-Fi jammers to block internet connections and disable devices, covering security cameras, and obfuscating their identities. These groups targeted high-end goods such as designer handbags, jewelry, watches, and cash.

In response to these incidents, the FBI advised athletes to report suspicious activity promptly, maintain detailed records of valuables and their locations, implement additional security measures, and exercise caution on social media by avoiding posting pictures of valuables, the interior of their homes, and real-time posts during vacations. Both the NFL and NBA issued security alerts to their players, emphasizing the importance of heightened security and vigilance. The NFL's alert specifically mentioned that homes of professional athletes across multiple sports have become "increasingly targeted for burglaries by organized and skilled groups."

In February 2025, U.S. authorities dismantled a Chilean burglary ring responsible for targeting the residences of elite athletes across the United States. Seven Chilean nationals were charged with numerous luxury thefts exceeding three million dollars. The victims included athletes such as Bobby Portis Jr., Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow, and Travis Kelce. The group operated across multiple states, taking advantage of athletes' game schedules to execute their burglaries.

These incidents highlight the vulnerabilities of high-profile individuals to targeted crimes, especially when their schedules are publicly accessible. The use of social media by athletes can inadvertently provide criminals with information about their whereabouts, emphasizing the need for discretion in online postings. Additionally, the involvement of international organized crime groups underscores the challenges law enforcement faces in addressing transnational criminal activities.

The FBI's warning serves as a crucial reminder for professional athletes and other high-profile individuals to reassess their security measures and online presence. By implementing the recommended precautions and remaining vigilant, they can better protect themselves from becoming targets of organized crime.