A number of former NFL players have lost millions while fighting to recover their money in an alleged scheme, which is said to have been orchestrated by a 23-year-old who was recently found dead
Tae Crowder has claimed to have lost over $500,000 in an alleged scheme
Tae Crowder has claimed to have lost over $500,000 in an alleged scheme
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Former New York Giants linebacker Tae Crowder is one of several NFL players said to have lost hundreds of thousands of dollars in an alleged scam.
Crowder is among a group of ex-players looking to recoup their money, with the ex-Giants star claiming the scheme left him impoverished. The individual said to be involved in the scheme, Mohamed Coulilbaly, was mysteriously found dead in a swimming pool last month.
The names of the other players are not yet known, with a number of athletes believed to have invested in Coulilbaly, 23, and the company Vent Motion LLC. It comes as Donald Trump shows fondness for "male model" Giants star with wild Super Bowl pick.
A complaint to the FBI laid out the financial allegations, alleging that Coulilbaly invited investors, involving multiple NFL players, to put their money in e-commerce stores on Shopify. They were told that once they received their initial investments back, they should plunge more money in, to drive the value of the company to $100 million and secure a huge sale to Middle Eastern partners.
Coulilbaly is then alleged to have agreed to divide the profits between those who invested. ESPN reports that Vent Motion LLC had, however, never heard of Coulilbaly.
The NFL Draft's Mr. Irrelevant from the 2020 class, Crowder spent three years with the New York Giants, having also played for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Tennessee Titans. He is now competing in the UFL.
Crowder spent three years with the Giants
Crowder spent three years with the Giants
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Crowder said of the situation: "I just seen a lot of different names on there that were legit. People, NFL players, different players. And I was like, all right, it's got to be legit, you know.
"I wish I put my money somewhere else... instead of looking for a quicker investment."
New Jersey resident Coulilbaly was found dead in a swimming pool after a welfare check on July 31.
Crowder and the other individuals are hoping to recoup their money
Crowder and the other individuals are hoping to recoup their money. He is now playing in the UFL with the Birmingham Stallions.
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Another former Giants player, running back Matt Breida, has confirmed that he invested hundreds of thousands in escrow, and he has not received any money back.
He told ESPN: "Every time we talked to him, it's the same thing. 'This is the reason why. The bank. We're waiting on the people from overseas.'
"So it gets to a point where it's like, OK, it's not going nowhere."
Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider is also said to have lost money in the alleged scheme, alongside former All-Star NBA point guard John Wall and rappers Tee Grizzley and YG.