Former youth basketball coach accused of defrauding parents of $160,000

Advertisement 1 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Breadcrumb Trail Links HomeNewsCrimeLocal News Former youth basketball coach accused of defrauding parents of $160,000 The 36-year-old was arrested with the assistance of Airdie RCMP in Airdie on Aug. 24, following a two-year investigation Author of the article: By Itoro Umanah Published Sep 03, 2026 Last updated 4 hours ago 3 minute read Join the conversation The exterior of the Wood Buffalo RCMP detachment on Paquette Drive in Fort McMurray, Alta. PHOTO BY KYLE DARBYSON /Postmedia Network Article content Wood Buffalo RCMP have arrested a former children’s basketball coach accused of defrauding Fort McMurray residents of more than $160,000 through a series of alleged investment and youth basketball schemes between 2022 and 2024. Article content The 36-year-old was arrested with the assistance of Airdie RCMP in Airdie on Aug. 24, following a two-year investigation. Article content Article content Police allege the former Fort McMurray man approached residents, families and colleagues with investment opportunities and paid sports programs while operating under several business names, including Elite basketball, Origin Clothing, Triumph Elite and Fort McMurray basketball Academy. After promising equally distributed returns, he would then stop responding to his alleged victims’ messages, or repeat excuses for ghosting them. Article content Article content According to Wood Buffalo RCMP, the businesses he claimed to be operating were never registered and production never began. The more than $160,000 identified in the investigation may represent only a portion of the money allegedly taken from victims, with one individual reportedly losing $87,000. Article content Headline News Get the latest headlines, breaking news and columns. Sign Up By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Article content Kerri Ann MacQuarrie – a mother of two – is one of the people who was allegedly defrauded by the former coach. Article content She said she first came across the man through an online post during her search for a basketball league for her son and daughter to play in. Article content “We trained with his team for a couple of years and there were no real issues,” MacQuarrie said. Article content The modernized gym with new floors and new basketball nets at Fort McMurray…