Scammers Getting European Football Clubs to Pay for Fake Medical Exams
Clubs in Slovakia and the Netherlands narrowly avoided paying out thousands of euros to a scammer posing as a real footballing director. But other clubs may have kept quiet after being swindled.
Scammers targeting football clubs can be highly ambitious. Barcelona recently fell victim to one, losing €1 million to a fake agent claiming to represent Polish star Robert Lewandowski. Although the club recovered their money, it was a stark reminder that even footballing giants are not immune to fraud.
But others operate differently, targeting smaller clubs for less potential profit but in ways that are less likely to attract scrutiny.
One technique is gaining in popularity. Posing as agents or club representatives, fraudsters offer fake transfer deals and demand pre-payment for medical exams, disappearing with the money once it’s sent.
The latest attempt to exploit this scam was uncovered in Slovakia, where Spartak Trnava narrowly avoided falling victim, as first reported by newspaper Denník N.
So how does the scam work exactly?
In June 2024, Spartak Trnava, a leading club in Slovakia, was approached with what appeared to be an exciting transfer opportunity. An individual posing as Erik Nevland, a former Manchester United player and current sporting director of Norway’s Viking FK, proposed signing one of Spartak Trnava’s players for €100,000. The deal seemed legitimate, supported by conversations with the player’s agents and the promise of a high-profile move to the Norwegian league.
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