Alleged Identity Theft in Xavier McKinney Loan Scam Sparks Legal Battle

Aliya Sports Finance Fund (ASFF) has filed a lawsuit against Sure Sports, a loan broker, alleging negligence in a fraudulent loan transaction involving Green Bay Packers cornerback Xavier McKinney. The lawsuit claims that Sure Sports failed to conduct adequate due diligence, resulting in ASFF wiring $4.375 million to an impersonator of McKinney, who allegedly facilitated the theft of the loan proceeds. The case is set for trial on July 13, 2026, in Florida.

The Guardian

The loan in question was finalized on April 2, 2024, shortly after McKinney signed a four-year, $67 million contract with the Packers. According to ASFF's complaint, Sure Sports introduced the lender to a borrower it believed to be McKinney, charging an $87,500 fee for its services. However, ASFF later discovered that the borrower was not McKinney but a third party impersonating him. The FBI is currently investigating the matter.

The Guardian

• Aliya Sports Finance Fund (ASFF): The plaintiff in the lawsuit, alleging negligence and seeking to protect its investors.

The Guardian

• Sure Sports: The defendant, a loan broker accused of failing to perform adequate due diligence.

The Guardian

• Xavier McKinney: The NFL player who was impersonated; he is not a party to the lawsuit but is a victim of identity theft.

The Guardian

• Kwamaine Jerell Ford: Indicted by the Department of Justice for allegedly targeting professional athletes through a phishing scam.

The Guardian

Sure Sports has filed a motion to dismiss the case, arguing that ASFF shares responsibility for due diligence and that the broker could not foresee the impersonation. The company contends that the complaint lacks evidence of a history of impersonation cases involving its services. ASFF's attorney stated that the fund is working to protect its investors from improper conduct. McKinney's agency, Athletes First, declined to comment on the case.

The Guardian

In its defense, Sure Sports claims that ASFF did not demonstrate that the broker should have anticipated the impersonation. The motion to dismiss emphasizes that ASFF's complaint does not allege a pattern of impersonation cases that would have warranted additional scrutiny by Sure Sports.

The Guardian

While the FBI is investigating the impersonation case, it is also probing other identity theft incidents involving McKinney. A source indicated that McKinney is among the victims identified in a broader indictment related to a phishing scam targeting professional athletes. The NFL Players Association has not commented on the ongoing litigation.

The Guardian

The trial for the lawsuit filed by ASFF against Sure Sports is scheduled to begin on July 13, 2026. The outcome may have implications for the responsibilities of loan brokers in verifying the identities of their clients, particularly in high-stakes transactions involving professional athletes.

The Guardian

• “The Complaint fails to allege Sure Sports had a history of providing underwriting services for those found to be impersonating athletes or that other loans with McKinney and/or XMK Companies had resulted in discovery of imposters,” — Sure Sports

The Guardian

• “The Aliya Sports Finance Fund, LP is working to protect its investors from improper conduct that has caused damage to the fund. The fund cannot comment further given the pending litigation.” — ASFF Attorney

The Guardian