NFL Star Travis Kelce Named Victim in $35 Million Ponzi Scheme
NFL star Travis Kelce identified as victim in $35M Ponzi scheme; operator sentenced to 11 years.
Event / Security
Travis Kelce Ponzi Scheme Fraud
NFL player Travis Kelce was identified as a victim in a $35 million Ponzi scheme operated by Siddharth Jawahar, who was sentenced to 11 years in prison for wire fraud. Jawahar co-founded Swiftarc Capital LLC and collected over $35 million from investors between July 2016 and December 2023, investing only about $10 million while using remaining funds for personal expenses and investor payouts.
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2026-09-17 to 2026-11-05 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 17 Sept, 00:39 UTC
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What happened
Jawahar attempted to obstruct justice after indictment
After being indicted, Siddharth Jawahar attempted to coach a fraud victim into giving a favorable statement to the FBI, tried to get his sister to remotely wipe his iPhone to destroy evidence, and lied about his immigration status and finances. These actions occurred after his indictment and before his September 15 sentencing.
Jawahar lied to investors about Philip Morris Pakistan investment returns
Starting in 2015, Siddharth Jawahar invested client funds primarily in Philip Morris Pakistan through Swiftarc Capital LLC. When the value of the Philip Morris Pakistan investment declined, Jawahar falsely told investors they were making profits rather than disclosing the losses. This deception continued through December 2023.
Jawahar misused investor funds for extravagant lifestyle
Between July 2016 and December 2023, Siddharth Jawahar diverted investor funds to support an extravagant lifestyle including private jet travel, luxury hotel stays, apartments in Austin and New York City, memberships at multiple private clubs, and expensive dining and shopping. He used approximately $25 million in investor funds not invested in Philip Morris Pakistan for these personal expenses and to repay earlier investors in a Ponzi-style scheme.
Travis Kelce identified as victim in Ponzi scheme
NFL player Travis Kelce, 36, was named as a victim in the $35 million Ponzi scheme run by Siddharth Jawahar. Kelce was an investor in the Swiftarc Venture Labs Fund, created by Swiftarc Capital LLC, which Jawahar co-founded. Prosecutors mentioned Kelce's name in court on September 15, though his specific investment amount and losses were not disclosed.
Jawahar ordered to pay $31.35 million in restitution to fraud victims
As part of his sentencing, Siddharth Jawahar was ordered to pay $31.35 million in restitution to victims of the Ponzi scheme. The restitution requirement applies to all investors defrauded through Swiftarc Capital LLC and related investment vehicles.
Siddharth Jawahar sentenced to 11 years in prison for $35 million Ponzi scheme
Siddharth Jawahar, 38, was sentenced to 11 years in prison on September 15 after pleading guilty to three counts of wire fraud. He ran a Ponzi scheme through Swiftarc Capital LLC and related entities from approximately July 2016 through December 2023, taking in over $35 million from investors while only investing about $10 million of the funds.
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