A Fairfax County soccer coach is facing 26 felony charges after police said families paid for an international soccer camp in Italy that never happened.
Ahmed Mohamed, 31, of Fairfax, is accused of collecting money from 13 victims through a promised summer travel camp, according to the Fairfax County Police Department.
Police said each victim lost between $2,000 and $12,000. Known losses in the case are estimated at nearly $60,000.
Mohamed was charged with 13 counts of embezzlement and 13 counts of computer fraud. The charges are accusations and have not been proven in court.
Police Said the Camp Was Advertised Through Sporting Soccer Academy
A Fairfax County soccer coach is facing multiple felony charges after police said he scammed families out of nearly $60,000 by promising international soccer camps that never happened.https://t.co/WxUvC6dIwx
— 7News DC (@7NewsDC) July 14, 2026
Detectives received information through Fairfax County police’s Financial Crimes Online Reporting system on June 25. After investigating, police said they identified 13 victims connected to a promised international soccer camp.
Police said Mohamed created “Sporting Soccer Academy” in December 2025 and used it to advertise a summer travel camp in Italy.
The money was collected under the false promise of travel, camp arrangements, and lodging, according to police.
His Coaching Role Helped Him Reach Families, Police Said
Investigators said Mohamed carried out the alleged scam “by virtue of his employment with the Alexandria Soccer Association,” through which he targeted some of the victims.
7News reported that the Alexandria Soccer Association said Mohamed is no longer employed there.
The association told the station that the conduct that led to the arrest did not involve ASA or its programs. ASA said Mohamed was acting independently to promote his own private program offerings, and that those actions were not authorized by the organization.
Mohamed Was Arrested in Fair Oaks
Police said Mohamed was arrested June 30 in the 4100 block of Monument Court in Fair Oaks.
He was taken to the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center, where he was charged with 13 counts of embezzlement and 13 counts of computer fraud. Police said he was later released on his own recognizance.
FFXnow reported that court records list a preliminary hearing for Sept. 2.
The investigation remains ongoing, and detectives are asking anyone with information about the case to contact the Fairfax County Police Department’s Financial Crimes Unit.
Parents Should Verify Travel Camps Before Paying Thousands
Families may know a coach, club, academy, or association well enough to trust a travel offer, but large payments for an international camp still need independent verification.
Before paying for a sports camp, tournament, clinic, or overseas trip, parents can ask for a written contract, refund terms, business registration, proof of travel bookings, hotel blocks, camp partners, insurance, emergency contacts, and confirmation from any league or association whose name is being used.
A private academy name should also be checked separately. Parents can look for a real business registration, a working website, written staff contacts, a physical mailing address, and proof that the camp or host facility in another country recognizes the program.
What To Save if a Camp or Team Trip Falls Apart
Warning signs include pressure to pay quickly, payment to a personal account, vague travel dates, no written refund policy, no direct confirmation from the host camp, changing explanations about flights or lodging, or a coach asking families to keep payments outside the regular club system.
Parents should save advertisements, emails, texts, payment receipts, Venmo or Zelle records, contracts, travel itineraries, refund promises, names of other affected families, and screenshots of any academy or camp pages.
Anyone with information about the Fairfax County case can contact the Fairfax County Police Department’s Financial Crimes Unit at 703-246-3533 or FCPD-FiCOR@fairfaxcounty.gov. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Fairfax County Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS or through the P3 Tips app.