

Dallas Turner, linebacker for the Minnesota Vikings, recently experienced a painful setback off the field. The first-round pick from the 2024 NFL Draft lost $240,000 after falling victim to a sophisticated phone scam.
The incident occurred as Turner was preparing for his second year in the league under a rookie contract worth $15.76 million. According to court documents obtained by The Minnesota Star Tribune, Turner was contacted by someone pretending to be a representative from JP Morgan Chase.
Turner was pressured into “protecting his money”
The caller convinced him that someone was impersonating him at a bank branch in Arizona and that immediate action was needed to secure his funds. The scammer instructed Turner to transfer money to two supposed safe accounts.
Acting under pressure, Turner ended up wiring $120,000 to each of the fake LLCs, losing nearly a quarter of a million dollars in just a matter of hours.
Only a small portion has been recovered
Turner filed a formal report with the authorities in April. Since then, several suspects have been identified, but only about $2,500 of the stolen amount has been recovered. The case remains open as investigators work to track down the rest of the funds and hold those responsible accountable.
Unfortunately, this kind of fraud is becoming increasingly common-even among public figures and athletes like Turner, who are often targeted due to their wealth and visibility.
Turner was already handling large sums
Turner entered the NFL from the University of Alabama, where he was regarded as one of the nation’s top defensive prospects. While he didn’t start in his rookie year, he played in 16 games for the Vikings in 2024, recording 20 total tackles, three sacks, and three tackles for loss.
Under his current contract, he already received an $8.28 million signing bonus and earned $750,000 during his first season-proof that he was already managing substantial finances before the scam.
Turner’s case exposes a deeper vulnerability
Beyond the financial blow, Turner’s case highlights an urgent issue: the need for better financial education and digital security awareness among young professional athletes. Many enter the league with multimillion-dollar deals but lack the preparation to navigate fraud or manage their wealth safely.
Dallas Turner’s story is not just about a costly mistake-it’s a sobering reminder that even elite professionals can fall victim in a digital age where scams are increasingly sophisticated and convincing.
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