Chiefs star Travis Kelce is named among victims of $35m Ponzi scheme

By the Editorial Team · Friday, September 18, 2026

Travis Kelce was identified as a victim of a $35 million Ponzi scheme operated by Siddhart Jawahar, who was sentenced to 11 years in prison and ordered to pay $31.35 million in restitution. The case highlights the risks faced by high-earning professional athletes in investment fraud, as Kelce and other prominent players had invested substantial sums with Jawahar’s firm.

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce is among the victims of a Ponzi scheme that defrauded investors of more than $35 million, according to Missouri authorities. Siddhart Jawahar, 38, the operator of the scheme, was sentenced Tuesday to 11 years in prison in U.S. District Court in St. Louis. He also has been ordered to pay $31.35 million in restitution.

Jawahar pleaded guilty in January to three counts of wire fraud linked to his Texas-based investment firm, Swiftarc Capital LLC. Prosecutors said Jawahar began soliciting investments in 2015 but concealed significant losses by funneling new investor funds to cover earlier obligations, a characteristic feature of Ponzi schemes. The total amount collected exceeded $35 million, yet only about $10 million was actually invested between July 2016 and December 2023.

The U.S. attorney’s office detailed that Jawahar used the defrauded funds to finance an opulent lifestyle, including private jets, upscale residences, fine dining, and exclusive club memberships. According to a Missouri prosecutor, Kelce was cited as one of the scheme’s victims during court proceedings, though details about the timing or amount of his investment have not been disclosed.

Kelce, 36, who recently signed a one-year contract extension to continue his NFL career, is not believed to be the only professional athlete affected. In a 2021 interview with Forbes, NBA guard Gary Harris discussed investments in Swiftarc Ventures Labs Fund, a firm co-founded and managed by Jawahar. That report also referenced athletes Tim Hardaway Jr. and Mason Plumlee as investors, alongside Kelce. All four athletes reportedly have career earnings exceeding $111 million, according to Spotrac.

Kelce’s recent high-profile marriage to singer Taylor Swift, whose net worth was estimated at $2.1 billion at the time of their wedding in July, has also brought heightened public attention to his activities.

The Kansas City Chiefs began their 2026 NFL season with a victory over the Denver Broncos on Monday, with Kelce returning to the field following speculation about his potential retirement after last season.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.