Police: Parents Paid Over $1K to Join Fictitious Saratoga County Basketball Team

The Ultimate Money Grab

If you're a parent with a kid in travel sports, you already know the drill.

Registration fees. Uniforms. Gas. Food. Hotels. Tournament fees. And my personal favorite: driving three hours to Pennsylvania, spending hundreds on a hotel, only to discover your kid's first opponent is a team from 20 minutes down the road.

As if travel sports and AAU basketball weren't already enough of a money grab — errrr, investment in our children — parents in Saratoga County allegedly had something much worse to worry about.

Charged Parents for Non-Existent Team

The basketball team they were paying for apparently didn't even exist.

According to the Saratoga County Sheriff's Office, deputies recently received several complaints about an individual allegedly collecting money from parents to enroll their children in what investigators describe as a fictitious basketball team.

Read More: Police Seek Information After Arrest of Shen School Bus Driver 

The investigation led to the July 21st arrest of Norbert A. Sygdziak, 44, of Milton.

Norbert Sygdziak, Milton    Photo: Canva, SCSO Facebook

The SCSO alleges that Sygdziak engaged in an ongoing scheme in the Town of Malta between February and April 2026, scamming multiple people of more than $1,000.

He was charged with fourth-degree grand larceny and first-degree scheme to defraud, both felonies, as well as second-degree scheme to defraud and five counts of petit larceny.

Sygdziak was released on appearance tickets pending proceedings in Malta Town Court. The charges are not considered bail-eligible offenses under New York State law.

Have Any Additional Information?

The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with additional information is asked to contact the SCSO. 

So, travel parents, the next time you're complaining about that hotel bill in Pennsylvania just to watch your kid play another Capital Region team, look on the bright side:

At least the other team exists.

All individuals are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court. This story is based on information provided by law enforcement and may be updated as new details become available. Corrections or updates can be sent to brian@wgna.com.