Christopher White, 45, and his wife, Tracy Beth White, 46, were arrested by the Bay County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) following a 15-month investigation into the alleged scheme, which cost investors more than $700,000.

PANAMA CITY — A Florida couple was arrested after they allegedly defrauded investors over a new national football league and production company that never was.

Christopher White, 45, and his wife, Tracy Beth White, 46, were arrested by the Bay County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) following a 15-month investigation into the alleged scheme, which cost investors more than $700,000.

“A victim filed a complaint with the BCSO in February of 2016. She stated she met Christopher White online in 2010 and began a relationship with him,” BCSO stated in a news release. “He solicited her to invest in his business venture called the North American Football League and a production company associated with the league, which would cover games and players like, he said, ‘ESPN covers the NFL.’ ”

White claimed to have $400 million dollars in escrow to finance the league and offered the victim an opportunity to be a part of the production company, according to BCSO.

He also allegedly created a website with digital logos for the teams and league, for which he claimed to have played and later coached, BCSO reported. He also allegedly wore a ring he claimed was for winning a championship game, but investigators said they believe it was one of the props used to gain trust and get money from investors.

“By the end of 2013 and early 2014, the victim had given White $150,000 and had been convinced to lease equipment in her name for him. Within 12 months, in early 2015, White informed her that the league and production company had folded,” BCSO wrote in the release. “White left Florida for Murfreesboro, Tennessee. According to the victim, White and his wife took all computer and production equipment with them that had been purchased with her money or leased by her.”

Investigators said they found others throughout the country who they believe were scammed.

The Whites were taken into custody without incident May 9 with the assistance of the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office in Tennessee and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.

Christopher White was charged with grand theft in the first degree over $100,000 and two counts of fraud. Tracy Beth White was charged with theft of $20,000 to less than $100,000.

Both will be extradited to Bay County from Tennessee, and additional charges are possible, according to BCSO.