A soccer coach from Fairfax County has been arrested and charged with 26 felonies after investigators say he orchestrated a fraudulent travel camp in Italy that bilked families out of tens of thousands of dollars.
Ahmed Mohamed, 31, allegedly created a fake summer program through a nonexistent Soccer Academy and used his position with the Alexandria Soccer Association to lure parents into paying up to $12,000 per child for a trip that never materialized.
The Scope of the Alleged Fraud
According to court filings, Mohamed collected nearly $60,000 from 13 victims between December 2025 and the summer of 2026, promising a premium Italian soccer experience that included accommodation, training sessions and cultural excursions.
The scheme unraveled when several families discovered that the promised itinerary was never booked and that the money was being funneled into Mohamed’s personal accounts.
Legal Repercussions and Community Response
On June 30, Mohamed was taken into custody in Fairfax and charged with 13 counts of embezzlement and 13 counts of computer fraud, each count corresponding to a separate victim.
The Alexandria Soccer Association issued a statement distancing itself from Mohamed’s conduct, emphasizing that his actions were unauthorized and that the organization will cooperate fully with law enforcement.
Fairfax County Police Department’s Financial Crimes Unit is leading the investigation and has asked anyone with additional information to come forward.
Authorities have used the case as a cautionary tale, urging parents to scrutinize travel programs by demanding written contracts, clear refund policies and verifiable travel reservations before committing large sums.
Red flags include pressure to pay quickly, requests for payments to personal bank accounts and vague or shifting travel dates.
Investigators also recommend preserving all communications and receipts, which can serve as critical evidence should a camp or team trip collapse.
The case underscores the growing risk of sports‑related scams that exploit parents’ desire for elite training opportunities for their children, and it may prompt tighter oversight of youth soccer programs across the region.