NFL players including Travis Kelce have been issued some words of warning from the FBI ahead of the playoffs to avoid showing off valuables on social media after a spate of burglaries.

The homes of sporting stars such as Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow and Luka Doncic were targeted by organized crime groups believed to be operating out of South America in recent times. The string of break-ins, which started back in September, subsequently became subject to an investigation led by the FBI.

In the case of Kansas City Chiefs tight end Kelce, his $6 million pad in Leawood, Kansas was broken into in October, with the home of teammate Mahomes targeted in the same month. Now details of the advice issued to the victims of the burglaries have emerged, with the FBI issuing some stern guidance to those affected.

The FBI report on the break-ins read: “While many burglaries occur while homes are unoccupied, some burglaries occur while residents are home. In these instances, individuals are encouraged to seek law enforcement help and avoid engaging with criminals, as they may be armed or use violence if confronted.”

NBC News reported that the domestic intelligence and security service has issued the a “best-practices” memo in relation to crime trends as they issued a reaction to the spate of break-ins. This Liaison Information Report is said to urge athletes “to limit imagery of valuables, such as cash, jewels and electronics, on their public accounts”.

A number of sports stars have broken their silence on the burglaries, with Milwaukee Bucks basketball ace Bobby Portis among those who gave his thoughts on the matter. After his home was targeted in November, he said: “This is a place I’ve considered home. While I was at my game yesterday, I had a home invasion, and they took most of my prized possessions.”

Patrick Mahomes previously spoke of his frustrations at the break-in at his home back in October

Patrick Mahomes previously spoke of his frustrations at the break-in at his home back in October ( 

Image:

Aaron M. Sprecher/Getty Images)

Meanwhile, the aforementioned Mahomes spoke of his sorrow after his own pad in Belton, Missouri was broken into. He said: “Obviously, it’s frustrating. It’s disappointing. Obviously something that you don’t want to have happen to really anybody. But obviously yourself.”

It has since emerged that colleague Kelce has gone to significant lengths to prevent a repeat of the events on October. An insider told the Daily Mail that the Chiefs superstar has installed a security system and employed dedicated staff at his property, saying: “Travis has gone all out to make sure that the security system and security personnel at his home is invincible.

The best gift he could get both of them is safety and assurance that they will always have a good night’s sleep.

Aside from a team of skilled security protecting the perimeter and surrounding grounds of his home 24/7, he has also installed a safety room in his renovations, which also include a man cave underground. He has installed a state-of-the-art security system with every single possible entry, including all windows, secured.”