A shocking death investigation is unfolding in New Jersey after Mohamed Coulibaly, a 24-year-old businessman accused of operating an investment scheme that allegedly cost former NFL players more than $1 million, was found dead in a swimming pool.
Police discovered Coulibaly’s body at a home in Mullica Hill, Harrison Township, on Friday, July 31, while conducting a welfare check. Authorities reportedly visited the property after a concerned family member raised questions about his well-being. The circumstances and official cause of his death remain under investigation.
His death came only weeks after a Barron’s investigation accused him of persuading professional athletes to purchase ownership stakes in Shopify-powered online stores that appeared to be generating impressive sales.
According to the investigation, investors were reportedly given access to dashboards showing growing orders and revenue. However, some of the sales figures were allegedly created using Shopify’s manual-entry function, making the businesses appear more successful than they actually were.
Three former NFL players reportedly claimed they lost more than $1 million combined through separate investments connected to Coulibaly. Former New York Giants linebacker Tae Crowder allegedly invested his entire savings of approximately $500,000 after being introduced to the opportunity through a mutual acquaintance.
Coulibaly denied running a scam before his death. He maintained that the disputed sales information resulted from a misunderstanding of the technology and claimed investors had not received their money because he was awaiting funds from a planned acquisition of his company.
Despite the serious public accusations, Coulibaly had not been criminally charged in connection with the alleged scheme before he died. His sudden death could further complicate efforts by the affected investors to recover their money or obtain complete answers about the business transactions.
Authorities have not announced whether foul play is suspected. As investigators work to establish what happened inside the New Jersey property, the combination of Coulibaly’s unexpected death and the unresolved million-dollar allegations has left former players, relatives and the public searching for answers.
