Underground Betting Ring Corrupted College Basketball Games, Investigators Say

Transnational Criminal Scheme Uncovered

• 🚨 Federal prosecutors have revealed a transnational criminal scheme aimed at fixing NCAA Division I men's basketball games.
• 🎯 The alleged conspiracy involved over two dozen individuals, including at least one player from the New York City area.
• 🌍 The indictment details a national web of fixers who interfered with games between 2023 and 2025 for monetary gain.

Scope of the Alleged Corruption

• 🏀 Prosecutors claim more than 39 players across over 17 teams were involved in rigging or attempting to rig more than 29 games.
• 💰 Players allegedly received payments ranging from $10,000 to $30,000 per game to underperform.

Key Institutions and Individuals Involved

• 🎓 Ex-Fom University player Elijah Gray is among the defendants charged with bribery and aiding and abetting.
• ⚠️ Gray and an unnamed teammate were allegedly paid to underperform in a February 23, 2024 game against Dukane University, though the plan failed as Fom won.
• 🏫 Players from Depal University were also implicated in fixing a March 5, 2024 game against St. John's University.
• 📍 Shawn Fulture, originally from Brooklyn and a former player at the University at Buffalo, is also named as a defendant.

NCAA and University Responses

• 🏛️ The NCAA president is urging state gambling commissions to adjust laws and regulations in light of these allegations.
• 🚫 The NCAA has opened investigations into almost all schools named in the indictment and will not allow implicated players to compete.
• 🏢 Fom University has not yet responded to requests for comment, while the University at Buffalo stated they believe these to be isolated incidents.

Ongoing Investigation

• 🔍 Prosecutors indicate that the investigation is ongoing, suggesting that many others, including unnamed players, played a role in the scheme but have not yet been charged.
• 📰 A correction was issued regarding a previous report that incorrectly stated a St. John's player was among those indicted.