The NBA has issued a warning to its players to increase home security following a number of break-ins – and the FBI are involved.

In a memo the NBA sent to its team officials, the league revealed that the FBI has connected several burglaries to “transnational South American Theft Groups.” The groups are reportedly well-organized, sophisticated rings that incorporate advanced techniques and technologies, including pre-surveillance, drones, and signal jamming devices.”

The NBA decided to warn players to safeguard valuable items as transnational crime rings could be targeting US sports stars. Officials with both the NBA and NFL are assessing the danger following a series of brazen home break-ins that’ve targeted some of their most well known players.

The NBA’s senior vice president and chief security officer Leon Newsome told league presidents and general managers that officials have been briefed by FBI agents. The FBI reportedly warned that pro atheltes are among the people targeted by “SATGs”.

Newsome said: “These SATGs are reportedly well-organized, sophisticated rings that incorporate advanced techniques and technologies, including pre-surveillance, drones, and signal jamming devices. The SATGs are primarily focused on cash and items that can be resold on the black market, such as jewelry, watches, and luxury bags. The FBI reported that, in most of the incidents, the homes were equipped with alarm systems that were not activated. The FBI also reported that the homes were all unoccupied and, in most cases, no dogs were present.”

The NBA memo did not name any victims. However, Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis and Minnesota Timberwolves guard Michael Conley both suffered burglaries after Kansas City Chiefs duo Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce were hit.

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Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes both suffered burglaries last month

Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes both suffered burglaries last month ( 

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Getty Images)

Earlier this week, the NFL advised players to be mindful when it comes to publicly disclosing information associated with their whereabouts, homes, and any luxury items. The NFL memo read: “The homes of professional athletes across multiple sports leagues have become increasingly targeted for burglaries by organized and skilled groups.

“It is important for players to maintain situational awareness, practice social media safety and implement home security measures to reduce risk of becoming a target.”

Mahomes and Kelce, the star tight end and boyfriend of Taylor Swift, were both break-in victims at their homes in the Kansas City area. Mahomes’ house in Belton, Missouri, was hit on Oct. 6, while Kelce’s place in Leawood, Kansas, was broken into Oct. 7. Both men were out the house as they prepared for the Chiefs’ Monday Night Football clash with the New Orleans Saints.

“Obviously, it’s frustrating, disappointing,” Mahomes told reporters before facing the Bills on Sunday. “I can’t get into too many of the details because the investigation is still ongoing. But obviously it’s something that you don’t want to happen to, really, anybody but obviously yourself.”