Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce was identified in federal court as one of several professional athletes caught in a multi-million-dollar Ponzi scheme orchestrated by Siddharth Jawahar, according to federal prosecutors. Jawahar was sentenced to 11 years in prison after pleading guilty to three counts of wire fraud, court records show. Federal authorities stated the scheme defrauded investors out of more than $35 million.
Federal Court Filings Reveal Kelce Among Ponzi Scheme Victims
Inside Swiftarc Capital and the Philip Morris Pakistan Bet
According to federal investigators, Jawahar operated Swiftarc Capital LLC and directed the vast majority of client funds into a single venture involving Philip Morris Pakistan.
When that investment failed to generate returns, prosecutors said Jawahar misled investors about the status of their funds while using capital from newer investors to pay off earlier clients, maintaining an affluent lifestyle featuring private jets, high-end rentals, and luxury hotels.
Undeclared Losses and Undocumented Status
While federal filings and prosecution announcements name Kelce among the victims, exact financial losses for Kelce have not been publicly disclosed.
Attorney’s Office identified Jawahar as an undocumented immigrant who headed Swiftarc Capital LLC, according to court documents.
A Roster of NBA and NFL Investors
Kelce is far from the only professional basketball or football player tied to the fund. NBA player Gary Harris previously detailed his involvement with Jawahar in an interview with Forbes, describing a growing interest in venture capital and a close professional relationship with the now-convicted fraudster.
Additional sports figures named as investors in related court and media reports include Miami Heat guard Tim Hardaway Jr. and former San Antonio Spurs player Mason Plumlee.
Contracts, Real Estate, and Restitution Orders
The federal court disclosure arrives during a busy financial and personal stretch for Kelce. Kelce entered his fourteenth NFL season following a wedding to Taylor Swift at Madison Square Garden. Earlier this year, Kelce signed a three-year contract with the Chiefs that guarantees $12 million for the current campaign and can reach up to $57.735 million through his age-39 season, alongside a recent real estate purchase—a $5.35 million lakefront mansion in Bratenahl, Ohio.
Federal judge rulings also ordered Jawahar to pay more than $31 million in mandatory restitution to the victims affected by the fraudulent investment scheme.
