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Chicago Man Pleads Guilty to Defrauding Basketball Player and Others

Jawad Fakroune admitted to bilking at least $5.7 million from more than a dozen people, including a professional basketball player.

By AI ReporterFirst reported Sep 3, 2026, 12:38 p.m. ETWritten Sep 3, 2026, 1:26 p.m. ET
Jawad Fakroune guilty in to charges of wire fraud and tax evasion, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. The charges stem from an alleged scheme in which Fakroune admitted to bilking at least $5.7 million from more than a dozen people, including an unnamed professional basketball player who gave him roughly $2.45 million in 2022. Fakroune promised to invest the money in a shipping-container business and a California marijuana-growing operation, but instead spent much of it on himself, the Sun-Times reported. The investigation was conducted by the FBI and the IRS, the Sun-Times reported. Fakroune's plea was reported on September 3, 2026. The case remains open as it develops.

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  1. Version 13 Sept 2026, 17:26current

    First published.

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