ATLANTA (AP) — In early 2024, Luther Davis, a former defensive tackle at the University of Alabama, orchestrated a scheme that involved impersonating NFL players via video calls to secure nearly $20 million in fraudulent loans.
Davis famously donned makeup and a wig during a video call from a luxury hotel in suburban Atlanta, convincing investors that he was an NFL player in need of a $4 million loan – a facade that proved successful.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Atlanta has since filed a criminal complaint against Davis, detailing how he utilized various disguises, including a do-rag-style head covering, to impersonate at least three different NFL players, with similar fraudulent intents during multiple video conferences in March and July.
Both Davis and his co-defendant CJ Evins face charges including conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. While they pleaded not guilty in March, they are scheduled to return to court on April 27 to potentially change their pleas.
The allegations claim that neither NFL player involved had permitted Davis to acquire any loans, which were secured using fake IDs featuring players’ images obtained from online sources. This elaborate scheme reportedly yielded nearly $20 million from at least 13 fraudulent loans, enabling purchases of real estate, jewelry, and luxury vehicles.
Davis is remembered not only for his athletic achievements, winning a national championship with the Crimson Tide in 2010, but also for his alarming shift into criminal activity that raises concerns about identity theft and financial fraud.
