A Georgia felon is facing federal sex-trafficking, identity-theft and computer-fraud charges for allegedly posing as an online porn star to target NFL and NBA players in a phishing scam.
Kwamaine Jerell Ford, 34, was convicted of computer fraud and aggravated identify theft over a similar $325,000 scheme in 2019. Now, Ford has been indicted for allegedly creating fake online personas ‘to traffic a young woman and coerce her to produce hidden camera videos of commercial sex acts with unknowing individuals.’
Ford has pleaded not guilty to nine counts of wire fraud, seven counts of computer fraud, one count of access device fraud, four counts of aggravated identity theft, and a count of sex trafficking. He is being held without bail pending trial.
The NFL and NBA players who are believed to have been ensnared by the scheme have not been identified publicly.
Ford’s mugshot is unavailable as the Department of Justice does not obtain or provide booking photos.
NFL players who are alleged to have been ensnared by the scheme haven’t been identified
Prosecutors say the alleged scheme began 2020, using a ‘two-pronged approach.’
Posing online as an adult film star, according to prosecutors, Ford would offer to send sexually explicit photos to athletes.
Having successfully spoofed Apple customer service accounts, Ford would then reach out to athletes via text message to solicit usernames, passwords and authentication codes in exchange for access to the promised pornographic photos, according to the indictment.
Ford allegedly tricked dozens of victims into divulging their login credentials, which he’s accused of using to obtain credit and debit card information.
‘While serving time for stealing credit card numbers from athletes and celebrities to fund his lifestyle, Ford allegedly engaged in the same conduct again,’ US Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg said in a press release.
The DOJ further claims that in May of 2021, Ford posed as a porn star to recruit and coerce a female victim into engaging in sex work with pro athletes. Ford allegedly promised the woman it would advance her modelling career.
‘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,’ Hertzberg said.
Ford then advertised the victim to athletes, coordinated her travel with the men, and negotiated payments in exchange for sex, according to the DOJ’s press release.
Ford is also accused of using other fraudulent personas to threaten and further coerce the woman into doing what he wanted.
The DOJ claims the woman recorded many of the sexual encounters with athletes without their consent at Ford’s insistence.
