Port of Savannah Fraud: Two Men Sentenced for $821K Invoice Scam

Key Details Two Georgia men have been sentenced to prison for defrauding a national logistics company serving the Port of Savannah. Philip Charles Smith, 41, received 27 months in prison plus three years supervised release, while Antonio J. Evans Sr., 41, was sentenced to 13 months in prison with the same supervised release period. Both pleaded guilty to wire fraud charges and must pay $821,899 in combined restitution. How the Scheme Worked Smith, an employee responsible for awarding carrier contracts at the port, created fake freight-hauling jobs between July 2021 and August 2024. He assigned these fictitious jobs to Evans, who then received payment from the company for work that never occurred. Evans kicked back portions of the fraudulent payments to Smith, netting the pair over $821,000 in stolen funds. Why It Matters This case highlights vulnerabilities in supply chain operations and the risks posed by employees who abuse positions of trust. The FBI emphasized that such schemes undermine the integrity of critical port operations and the broader economy. Companies must implement stronger controls and verification systems to prevent similar fraud from exploiting contractor payment processes and threatening commerce at major transportation hubs like Savannah.