A federal grand jury has indicted Kwamaine Jerell Ford, a Georgia man accused of running a phishing scam that targeted professional athletes in the NBA and NFL while he was in federal prison.
Prosecutors say the scheme allowed him to gain access to victims’ Apple accounts, steal financial information, and carry out fraudulent transactions.
According to the indictment, the alleged phishing scam involved impersonating both an adult film star and Apple customer support representatives to trick athletes into sharing their login credentials and multi-factor authentication codes. Authorities say the stolen information was then used to access accounts and make unauthorized purchases.
Federal prosecutors also allege that the scheme expanded beyond financial fraud and included coercion and sex trafficking activities involving a female victim. The case is currently being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and Ford has pleaded not guilty to multiple federal charges.
Phishing Scam Allegedly Targeted Professional Athletes
According to federal prosecutors, Kwamaine Jerell Ford, a 34-year-old from Buford, Georgia, has been indicted for orchestrating a phishing scam that targeted professional athletes in the NBA and NFL.
The indictment alleges that Ford used deceptive online tactics to gain access to victims’ Apple accounts. Authorities say the phishing scam relied on a two-step social engineering approach designed to trick athletes into sharing their login credentials.
First, Ford allegedly created a fake online persona posing as a well-known adult film star. Through this account, he offered to send explicit videos to the targeted athletes. At the same time, he reportedly spoofed legitimate Apple customer support accounts and contacted victims through text messages.
The messages asked the athletes to send their usernames, passwords, or multi-factor authentication codes so they could supposedly access the videos. According to investigators, dozens of victims fell for the phishing scam and unknowingly handed over their account credentials.
Access to Accounts Led to Financial Fraud
Once Ford gained access to the victims’ accounts, prosecutors say he obtained their stored credit and debit card information. The indictment alleges that he then used the stolen financial details for personal spending.
Authorities believe the phishing scam enabled Ford to carry out thousands of dollars in unauthorized transactions. Investigators say the tactic relied heavily on impersonation and trust manipulation—methods that remain common in modern phishing scams.
The case is particularly striking because Ford had previously been convicted of similar crimes.
In 2019, in the Northern District of Georgia, he was convicted of computer fraud and aggravated identity theft after carrying out phishing attacks that allowed him to spend nearly $325,000 using stolen financial information belonging to athletes and celebrities.
“While serving time for stealing credit card numbers from athletes and celebrities to fund his lifestyle, Ford allegedly engaged in the same conduct again,” said Theodore S. Hertzberg.
“Disturbingly, the indictment alleges that Ford went even further and used a fraudulent online persona to traffic a young woman and coerce her to produce hidden camera videos of commercial sex acts with unknowing individuals.”
Allegations of Coercion and Sex Trafficking
Federal authorities say the case escalated beyond a financial phishing scam in 2021. According to the indictment, Ford allegedly used the same fraudulent persona to recruit and manipulate a woman into engaging in commercial sex acts with professional athletes.
Prosecutors say Ford promised the victim that the fake film star would help advance her modeling career. Based on those claims, the woman allegedly traveled to meet athletes and participated in encounters arranged by Ford.
Authorities say Ford coordinated travel, negotiated payments with the athletes, and took a financial cut from the encounters.
Investigators also allege that Ford used additional fake personas to threaten the victim and pressure her into continuing the activity. Some encounters were allegedly filmed without the athletes’ knowledge or consent.
FBI officials say the case demonstrates how online fraud schemes can expand into broader criminal activity.
“Kwamaine Ford clearly did not learn from his prior conviction for a similar scheme. This time, he allegedly escalated his criminal activity—stealing identities and money while also moving into coercion and sex trafficking,” said Peter Ellis. “The FBI’s dedicated agents remain committed to staying ahead of schemes like this and protecting the public from individuals who exploit and harm others for personal gain.”
Charges and Ongoing Investigation
On March 13, 2026, Ford appeared in federal court and pleaded not guilty to multiple 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 U.S. magistrate judge ordered that he remain in custody without bail while the case proceeds.
As with all federal indictments, the charges represent allegations, and Ford is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
The investigation is being led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bernita B. Malloy and Phyllis Clerk prosecuting the case.
