BERNE: Footballers have been warned by the world players’ union (FIFPro) to beware of false agents who ask to be paid up front and then disappear with the money.

FIFPro said various players had been conned in the last few weeks by the fraudsters, who often play on the footballers’ anxiety towards the end of the transfer window.

“FIFPro has received information about various players who have been targeted by swindlers,” said FIFPro on Friday.

“All cases have many similarities and one common goal: to coax money out of the player.”

The trick usually involves the alleged agent approaching the player, either in person or through social media, and telling him a foreign club is interested in signing him, FIFPro said.

Published in Dawn, September 13th, 2014