FirstAlerts

Former Fort McMurray basketball coach charged in fraud case

Saleem Farhat faces charges in a fraud case involving fake investment deals and youth basketball programs; the case is undecided.

3 reports on this incident · first at Sep 9, 2026, 7:17 a.m. ET

By AI ReporterFirst reported Sep 9, 2026, 6:25 a.m. ETWritten Sep 9, 2026, 7:52 a.m. ET
Saleem Farhat, 36, has been by and Airdrie RCMP with 10 counts of fraud over $5,000 and two counts of false pretenses, according to Medicine Hat News. The matter is at the charging stage and has not been resolved; the charges are allegations, and Farhat has not been tried. He is presumed innocent until proven guilty. The government alleges Farhat took money from families, colleagues and other residents through fake investment deals and paid youth basketball programs between 2022 and 2024. The charges stem from an investigation by and Airdrie RCMP. Further details of the case and upcoming court proceedings have not been reported.

Earlier reports

  1. Sep 9, 2026, 7:23 a.m. ET

    Wood Buffalo RCMP charge Saleem Farhat with fraud and false pretenses

    Saleem Farhat, 36, has been charged with 10 counts of fraud over $5,000 and two counts of false pretenses, according to Wood Buffalo RCMP. The charges stem from an investigation by Wood Buffalo RCMP and Airdrie RCMP.

    The government alleges Farhat took money from families, colleagues and other residents through fake investment deals and paid youth basketball programs between 2022 and 2024. The allegations have not been proven in court, and Farhat is presumed innocent unless and until found guilty.

    The charges were announced on September 9, 2026. The case is at the charging stage, and no trial date has been reported.

  2. Sep 9, 2026, 7:17 a.m. ETFirst report

    Former Fort McMurray basketball coach charged in $160,000 fraud case

    Saleem Farhat, 36, has been charged with 10 counts of fraud over $5,000 and two counts of false pretenses, Medicine Hat News reported on September 9, 2026. The charges stem from an investigation by Wood Buffalo RCMP and Airdrie RCMP.

    The government alleges Farhat took money from families, colleagues and other residents through fake investment deals and paid youth basketball programs between 2022 and 2024. These allegations are undecided, as the case is only at the charging stage and has not been resolved in court. Farhat is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

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Revision history

  1. Version 19 Sept 2026, 11:23current

    First published.

  2. Version 19 Sept 2026, 11:17current

    First published.

  3. Version 19 Sept 2026, 11:52current

    First published.

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