Robbie Keane is said to be amongst a hundred footballers to fall victim to an investment con.
The LA Galaxy star has been named by The Sunday People as one of a number of professionals hit by a scheme reportedly fronted by former Doncaster midfielder Michael McIndoe.
The swindle is supposed to have gathered over €38m from a number of players, including former Hull midfielder Jimmy Bullard.
I’m A Celebrity… participant Bullard reportedly lost in the region of £650,000 to the con which was said to have promised 20 per cent monthly returns to investors. But the scheme collapsed to huge debts and authorities are probing alleged links to massive gambling.
Keane’s losses, meanwhile, have been described as ‘a fortune’, although it’s unclear if he is the ‘international star’ alleged to have been stung for over £1million.
McIndoe, 35, reportedly approached a number of fellow professionals asking for investment in return for guaranteed profits but there are fears that those involved were caught in a Ponzi-style scheme where money from new investors is simply redistributed.
An anonymous player who claims to have invested with the Scot told the paper: ‘I played with him [McIndoe] in the past and I think he used that to lure me in. I could name six or seven players who want their money back from McIndoe.
‘I was due to get money back on one date and then it was pushed back to another date. I am now speaking to my advisers and seeking legal advice. I am wondering where all the money has gone.’
