Federal authorities have arrested Daejon Love, 35, and his alleged accomplice Taylor Jamie Chan, 18, in connection with a sophisticated fraud scheme that reportedly scammed more than two dozen women out of approximately $1.3 million. Love is accused of posing as a San Francisco 49ers player on dating apps to lure victims into fictitious investment opportunities.
According to The Guardian, the elaborate scheme began in February 2022 and reportedly continued for more than four years until the arrests on August 24. Love allegedly created fictitious personas to meet women on dating apps, presenting himself as a player for the San Francisco 49ers. To make the story more convincing, he reportedly posted photos on social media wearing official team gear and posing alongside luxury vehicles.
Deception and financial manipulation
Once he established what many victims believed were sincere romantic relationships, Love would allegedly introduce nonexistent investment opportunities. The US attorney’s office in the District of Oregon detailed the depth of the deception in a statement:
“Love convinced many of the victims they were in sincere romantic relationships, that he was a sophisticated investor, and that Chan was his investment adviser who helped Love grow a fortune worth tens of millions of dollars.”
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Love reportedly told victims he wanted to build wealth and a future together, promising “massive returns” on the fake investments. Chan, 18, was allegedly presented as Love’s investment adviser as part of the scheme.
The fraud targeted 26 identified victims across multiple US states, including California, Idaho, Washington and Oregon.
None of the alleged victims interviewed by authorities reported receiving any return on their investments or repayment for loans made to Love and Chan. Love would reportedly cut off communication with the women once they ran out of funds to invest or began asking too many questions.
Arrests and charges
According to The Guardian, the FBI apprehended Love and Chan on August 24 in Boise, Idaho. Both have been charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud and remain in federal custody in Boise.
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Authorities believe there may be “many more victims” beyond the 26 already identified, suggesting the full scope of the alleged fraud could be significantly larger.
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