Man Accused of Defrauding NFL Players Out of More Than $1 Million Found Dead in New Jersey Pool

A 24-year-old entrepreneur accused of orchestrating a multimillion-dollar investment scheme targeting current and former professional athletes has been found dead in a swimming pool at a New Jersey home, authorities confirmed.

The death of Mohamed Coulibaly comes just weeks after an investigative report alleged that he persuaded athletes to invest in what appeared to be profitable e-commerce businesses that were, in reality, supported by fabricated sales data. Officials are now investigating the circumstances surrounding his death, and no cause has yet been released.

Body Discovered During Welfare Check

According to authorities, police responded to a residence in Harrison Township, New Jersey, on July 31 after family members requested a welfare check out of concern for Coulibaly’s well-being.

Officers discovered Coulibaly unresponsive in the home’s swimming pool. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Investigators have not announced whether foul play is suspected, and the Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office is continuing to examine the case.

Alleged Investment Scheme

Coulibaly came under intense public scrutiny following a July investigation by Barron’s, which alleged that he recruited professional athletes to invest in Shopify-based online stores that appeared highly profitable.

According to the report, investors were shown impressive sales records that investigators later alleged had been manually entered into the stores’ backend systems, creating the appearance of successful businesses. Several former NFL players claimed they invested substantial sums but never received the promised returns.

Among the reported victims was former New York Giants linebacker Tae Crowder, who said he invested his entire $500,000 savings after being introduced to Coulibaly through mutual acquaintances. Three former NFL players collectively alleged losses exceeding $1 million.

High-Profile Names Surface

The investigation also reported that several well-known athletes and entertainers had connections to Coulibaly through business pitches or promotional materials, including NFL players Nakobe Dean, Jalen Carter, Terrell Edmunds, rapper YG, and U.S. men’s national soccer player Mark McKenzie.

However, none of those individuals have been accused of wrongdoing. Their names surfaced because they were reportedly listed as clients, investors, or business contacts connected to Coulibaly’s ventures.

Coulibaly Denied Any Fraud

Before his death, Coulibaly consistently rejected accusations that he operated a fraudulent business.

He argued that reports had misunderstood how his e-commerce operations functioned and maintained that investor payments had been delayed because a planned acquisition of his company had failed to close—not because the businesses were fake.

Importantly, despite the public allegations, Coulibaly had not been criminally charged before his death.

Questions Remain

Coulibaly’s sudden death leaves many unanswered questions for investors seeking to recover their money.

Legal experts note that if no criminal prosecution was initiated before his death, affected investors may instead pursue civil litigation against any businesses, partners, or estates potentially connected to the investments. Whether any assets can be recovered remains uncertain.

Investigators have not indicated whether his death is connected to the allegations surrounding the investment scheme. Authorities have urged the public not to speculate until the investigation is complete.

Broader Lessons

The case highlights the growing risks associated with private investment opportunities promoted through personal relationships and social media.

According to the reporting, many athletes said they trusted Coulibaly because he appeared to have established relationships with prominent sports figures and projected an image of extraordinary financial success. Investigators allege those perceptions helped build credibility for investment opportunities that ultimately failed to deliver promised returns.

Investigation Continues

As authorities work to determine how Coulibaly died, the allegations surrounding the reported investment scheme remain unresolved.

With no criminal charges ever filed and the central figure now deceased, investigators and investors alike face significant challenges in determining exactly what happened, how much money may have been lost, and whether anyone else could ultimately face legal responsibility.