By Victor Kanayo
Retired Jamaican Olympic sprint sensation, Usain Bolt, has lost $12 million in his retire account with an investment company, Stocks and Security Limited, to fraudsters.
According to Bolt’s legal team, the hacked account was part of his Bolt’s retirement and lifetime savings.
“It’s distressing news for anyone, and certainly in the case of Mr Bolt, who established this account as part of his private pension.
“We will be going to court with the matter” if the company does not return the funds,” his lawyer, Linton P. Gordon, told Fortune magazine.
“It is a grave disappointment, and we are hoping that the matter will be resolved in a way that Mr Bolt will recover his money and be able to live in peace.”
The track star’s lawyers said they are ready to file a lawsuit if that will make it possible to recover the lost money that mysteriously disappeared from Bolt’s account.
They threatened civil and criminal action if the money is not returned within 10 days.
Stocks & Securities Limited did not immediately respond to a request for comment. On its website, the company asked that clients direct all urgent queries to Jamaica’s Financial Services Commission, which is investigating the firm.
The company has said that it discovered the fraud earlier this month and that several of its clients may be missing millions of dollars.
Jamaica’s Finance Minister minister, Nigel Clarke, called the situation alarming but noted it was unusual.
The Associated Press had reported that Mr Bolt’s account with the company was created to act as a pension for both of his parents and the eight-time Olympic gold medal-winning sprinter.
Bolt, who retired in 2017, holds the world records for the 100 meters, 200 meters and 4×100 meters.
His net worth is estimated to be $90million, according to Celebrity Net Worth.
At the height of his career, in 2015 and 2016, the 6ft 4in sprinter was thought to be earning more than $31million a year, Sportskeeda reports.
Bolt is the brand ambassador of Puma, earning him around $10million annually during his running days.
Despite retiring five years ago, Bolt still earns some $4million per year for wearing its clothing.
