Man Posed as 49ers Player in $1.3M Romance Scam Targeting 26 Women
Daejon Love, 35, allegedly posed as a San Francisco 49ers player to defraud over 26 women of $1.3M. He and accomplice Taylor Chan were arrested Monday at a Boise airport.
Alleged 49ers Impersonator and Accomplice Arrested at Idaho Airport
Daejon Labrayae Love, 35, and his alleged accomplice Taylor Jamie Chan, 18, were arrested Monday at an airport in Boise, Idaho, after federal investigators determined Love had traveled there to target new victims, the NY Post Metro reports.
The two men face charges of wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud, filed in a federal complaint in Portland, Oregon. According to the Department of Justice, the scheme began in February 2022 and ultimately defrauded more than 26 women across California, Oregon, Idaho, and Washington out of a combined $1.3 million.
Love allegedly convinced female victims he was either a wealthy San Francisco 49ers player or a successful real estate investor. Chan, according to prosecutors, posed as Love's financial advisor to reinforce the credibility of their pitch. "Chan falsely posed as Love's financial adviser to further gain their victims' trust and demonstrate the validity of the investments," the Justice Department said.
Love met victims through online dating apps and cultivated the illusion of a luxury lifestyle both in person and on social media. His Instagram account features multiple photos and videos of him wearing 49ers gear during workouts. Authorities said he maintained romantic relationships with many of the 26 identified victims, telling them he wanted to build wealth and a future together.
"Love advertised nonexistent investment vehicles and claimed these investments would generate massive returns for both him and his victims," the DOJ said.
The alleged scheme operated through fabricated investment opportunities. Chan would send Love messages about purported new investment deals; Love then forwarded those screenshots to victims as proof the opportunities were real. Some victims who lacked cash were instructed by Love to take out personal loans, with assurances they would be repaid quickly. According to the FBI, "victims sent Love and Chan money due to their belief that their money would be invested in legitimate investment vehicles on the victims' behalf."
When victims began asking questions or indicated they had no more money to contribute, Love allegedly blocked all communication. The DOJ said no victim ever received a return on their investment, and Love never returned any funds. He is also accused of using phone applications to generate fake bank statements and fabricated investment account balances, which he displayed to victims to sustain the deception.
Federal authorities believe additional victims may exist beyond the 26 already identified. Both men are scheduled to appear in court in Idaho on Thursday.
Source: NY Post Metro