Jun 1, 2026
Turns out your vacation photos might be doing more than generating “likes” on Instagram — they could also be telling burglars your home is empty. International police announced they’ve arrested members of a South American theft ring accused of targeting high-profile athletes while they were away from home.
Over Memorial Day weekend, authorities detained three suspects linked to break-ins at the homes of NFL stars Travis Kelce and Joe Burrow, NBA player Luka Dončić, and tennis champ Juan Martín del Potro. Investigators say the group didn’t just luck upon empty mansions — they allegedly used social media posts to figure out when the athletes were out of town. From there, they allegedly stole millions of dollars worth of luxury watches, jewelry, cash, and rare sports memorabilia.
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Even though the targets are ultra-wealthy, security experts say this kind of mistake is more common than people realize. Posting travel plans or real-time vacation updates can quietly reveal when a home is empty.
The new playbook for modern theft
Gone are the days when burglars had to look for simple signs like piled-up newspapers or an overflowing mailbox to figure out if someone was away. Now they don’t even have to leave the comfort of their own couch — they can just scroll through social media.
In December 2024, the FBI warned professional athletes that organized theft groups were tracking players online to ascertain as to when they’d be out of town. Criminals hit Travis Kelce’s house in October that year, while he was playing a game, and struck Patrick Mahomes’ place just days prior. Joe Burrow was targeted, too. In a span of just three months in late-2024, at least nine pro athletes got hit while they were away for games.
But it’s not just an issue for NFL stars. These crews are getting incredibly sophisticated. They aren’t just scrolling through Instagram for vacation photos; they’re using Wi-Fi jammers to knock out smart home security systems and bypass alarms. Once inside, they grab things that are easy to flip for quick cash, like designer bags, watches, and jewelry.
Social media can be a goldmine for criminals. Every time you post a real-time vacation selfie, tag a restaurant location, or give a video tour of your new place, you’re essentially giving thieves a roadmap to your valuables.
If you want to protect your wallet and your home, there are a few easy steps you can take.
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Think twice before hitting ‘post’
You don’t need a Super Bowl ring or a Rolex watch collection sitting on a bedroom shelf to end up on a criminal’s radar. While high-profile celebrity break-ins make the news, everyday households are increasingly targeted and, when you post real-time updates from a week-long beach getaway, you aren’t just sharing memories — you’re broadcasting that your house is empty.
While overall violent crime fell 4.5% in 2024, organized burglary crews are increasingly using digital surveillance and social media intelligence to identify targets, according to the FBI. The initial scouting, in many cases, doesn’t happen in person anymore. It happens on a screen.
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And it’s not always the obvious posts that matter. A one-off close-up of an engagement ring or a boxed delivery of an expensive product — on their own, they feel harmless. But together, they start to sketch a picture of what’s inside a home. The upside is you don’t need anything extreme — like an expensive security overhaul — to lower the risk. Consider taking some of these steps instead:
1. Delay your posts: It sounds simple, but it’s the one people ignore most. Don’t post the trip while you’re still on it. Not from the airport on the way home either. Wait until you’re back, bags unpacked, laundry done. Then share it if you still want to.
2. Lock down privacy settings: Most people set their accounts years ago and never revisit them. Go back in and check who can actually see your posts. If your profile is public, ask yourself why and whether it’s necessary. If you have a bunch of “friends of friends,” consider who those friends are. If someone doesn’t know you in real life, they probably don’t need access to your day-to-day routines.
3. Create a digital paper trail: Take an afternoon to document all of your high-value items. Store photographs, receipts, and serial numbers in a secure cloud drive. It won’t feel important until it suddenly is. At that point, it becomes one of the few things that actually speeds up insurance claims or recovery.
4. Call your insurance provider: Don’t assume you’re fully covered just because you have a policy. Standard homeowners insurance often has strict limits on jewelry, electronics, and collectibles. And those limits are usually lower than people expect. If you own anything valuable enough to worry about, ask about a rider.
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Laura Grande is a freelance contributor with nearly 15 years of industry experience. Throughout her career she's written about and edited a range of topics, from personal finance and politics to health and pop culture.
