Audio By Carbonatix
In Miami not even superstar athletes are immune from getting played by shady conmen.
Today, a judge sentenced Haidar Zafar to six years in prison for defrauding former Miami Heat players Mike Miller, James Jones, and Rashard Lewis out of $7.5 million. To add insult to injury, Zafar then used that money to buy Heat season tickets.
Zafar pretended to be a member of a wealthy Pakastani family, and in 2013 agreed to spend $1.055 million for a top-of-the-line, three season ticket packages to Heat games. For whatever reason, someone at the organization decided to let Zafar pay for the package later, and he used his new-found access to ingratiate with the players.
Zafar approached Miller, Jones, and Lewis separately and told them that he had a slam-dunk investment opportunity lined up, but that they only had a matter of days to pony up the money or lose the opportunity.
Will you step up to support New Times this year?
We’re aiming to raise $30,000 by December 31, so we can continue covering what matters most to you. If Miami New Times matters to you, please take action and contribute today, so when news happens, our reporters can be there.
Between the three he collected $7.5 million, but never invested any of it. Instead, he just spent it on himself — and to pay for those season tickets.
Zafar plead guilty back in September.
He has also plead guilty to a separate scheme in which he defrauded D.C.-area businessmen out of $10 million.
Follow Miami New Times on Facebook and Twitter @MiamiNewTimes.
