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Written by: A. Smith
Published March 20, 2025 @ 8:30 AM ET
HALL COUNTY, Ga. – Gainesville police have arrested and charged a man accused of posing as a football recruiter and scamming families of high school athletes out of thousands of dollars.
Investigators say Malcolm Walker, 39, was arrested in Gwinnett County last week and booked into the Hall County Jail on a charge of theft by deception. Officials say Walker falsely claimed he could connect student-athletes with college recruiters and coaches, collecting money for travel and other expenses but failing to follow through on his promises.
First Lt. Kevin Holbrook of the Gainesville Police Department said Walker convinced families to trust him by presenting himself as a legitimate recruiter.
“He talks the talk, but unfortunately, that’s all he’s got going for him,” Holbrook said. “He’s just stealing these people’s money and leaving them with absolutely nothing.”
The case originated from Phyllip Becoats, who reported Walker to police after he paid over $1,000 for a trip to the University of Colorado that never happened. Becoats, who was assisting Gainesville High School senior B.J. Bailey with recruiting efforts, initially hired Walker to produce a highlight video for Bailey.
Months later, Walker reached out to Becoats, claiming he had connections with University of Colorado coaches who were interested in Bailey. Walker told Becoats he had arranged airfare, hotel accommodations, and game tickets, asking for payment to finalize the trip. Becoats reportedly gave Walker $1,023.
However, Walker abruptly canceled the trip and repeatedly delayed rescheduling, making excuses for six months before ceasing communication altogether. When Becoats demanded a refund, Walker promised to return the money within five days, but weeks passed with no response. That’s when Becoats filed a police report.
Holbrook said investigators traced banking transactions and gathered evidence showing Walker never intended to arrange the trip. After Walker’s arrest, Gainesville police began receiving calls from other law enforcement agencies across Georgia reporting similar scams.
“We’ve been notified by multiple law enforcement agencies, multiple individuals who have said, ‘Hey, that’s the same guy who did this to us,'” Holbrook said.
Investigators believe Walker has stolen at least tens of thousands of dollars from families across the state.
Becoats expressed frustration over Walker’s actions, particularly how he preyed on young athletes’ dreams.
Despite the setback, Becoats continued to support Bailey in his college search. The senior has since received a full-ride scholarship to play football at Maryville College in Tennessee.
Holbrook is urging anyone who may have been a victim of Walker’s scheme to report it to their local law enforcement agency.
“We can work with our other law enforcement partners, such as the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, to tie all these together so that we can ensure that he’s going to remain in custody for a long time. And hopefully, some of these people can get their money back,” Holbrook said.
Walker has not responded to requests for comment, but in a social media post following his arrest, he denied wrongdoing.
“There are specifics that coaches and organizations look for and your child may not be that one that they are in search of, but that doesn’t mean stop trying other opportunities for your child and that definitely doesn’t mean that it’s my fault that whatever dreams we may have wanted to come through, sometimes fail,” Walker wrote.
However, he did not address whether he planned to refund the families’ money.