Georgia Man Charged in Athlete Phishing and Sex Trafficking

Federal authorities in Georgia have charged 34-year-old Kwamaine Jerell Ford with multiple counts of fraud, identity theft, and sex trafficking for allegedly orchestrating a phishing scheme that targeted professional NFL and NBA athletes, stealing their financial information and coercing a woman into commercial sex acts with some of the victims.

Ford, a resident of Buford, Georgia, appeared in federal court in Atlanta on Friday and pleaded not guilty to 22 charges, including nine counts of wire fraud, seven counts of computer fraud, one count of access device fraud, four counts of aggravated identity theft, and one count of sex trafficking. A judge ordered him detained without bail pending trial, citing concerns that he would continue similar activities if released. The alleged conspiracy began in November 2020, while Ford was incarcerated, and continued until September 2024, even after his release on supervision.

Prosecutors described a two-pronged phishing operation designed to access the athletes' Apple iCloud accounts. Ford allegedly impersonated a well-known adult film actress, identified in court documents only by the initials T.T., to contact the players via social media....