Tottenham Midfielder Targeted in Major Financial Scam
A Premier League footballer has become the victim of an alleged fraud scheme exceeding £800,000, prompting a police manhunt for the accused individual. Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Yves Bissouma, 29, reportedly had funds extracted from his Coutts bank account during a sustained 21-month campaign.
The Alleged Fraud Scheme
Prosecutor Rivka Shabtay told Highbury Corner magistrates' court that Maurice Gomes, 31, is accused of 'dishonestly' transferring money from Bissouma's account to himself without the footballer's 'knowledge or consent'. The alleged illicit bank transfers occurred between September 2022 and June 2024, totalling £834,334.40.
Ms Shabtay stated Gomes conducted these transactions 'to make a personal gain'. The accused, who resides in a £1.4 million six-bedroom house in Enfield, north London, failed to appear in court on Friday, leading magistrates to approve an arrest warrant.
Magistrate Victoria Woolfson confirmed: 'A warrant is approved. That is the end of the hearing.' Gomes faces two counts of fraud by false representation, with Bissouma identified as the alleged victim in both cases.
Spurs' Off-Pitch Challenges Continue
The connection between Gomes and Bissouma remains unclear, as does the method by which the accused could have accessed the footballer's account. The investigation began over a year ago when the Tottenham star reported discrepancies in his banking records.
This incident represents another off-pitch challenge for Spurs players recently. Teammate Destiny Udogie was allegedly threatened with a gun in north London in a separate incident on September 6. The Metropolitan Police launched an investigation, arresting a 31-year-old man on suspicion of possession of firearms with intent, blackmail, and driving without a licence.
Manager Thomas Frank addressed Udogie's situation ahead of Saturday's Manchester United clash, stating: 'It is a terrible situation to have been in and I can't speak too much about it as it's a legal case, but the club and we have done everything we can to support him.'
Bissouma's Professional Setbacks
The alleged fraud case compounds a difficult period for Bissouma professionally. Despite being one of the stars of Spurs' Europa League-winning campaign last season, the midfielder has been excluded from new manager Thomas Frank's plans this term after persistently arriving late for training during the summer.
The Mali international suffered further misfortune last month when he was carried off on a stretcher just nine seconds into his substitute appearance for his national team against Madagascar. Bissouma, who joined Tottenham from Brighton in a £30 million transfer in 2022, will likely be required to give evidence should the fraud case proceed to court.
