Man Posing as 49ers Player Accused of Swindling Women Out of $1.3M on Dating Apps
PORTLAND, Ore. — A man accused of posing as a San Francisco 49ers player used dating apps to swindle women out of more than $1.3 million, federal prosecutors in Oregon say, in a wire-fraud scheme that allegedly paired fake NFL fame with bogus investment pitches.
Daejon Labrayae Love, with help from Taylor Jamie Chan, created false investment opportunities and used dating apps to find victims, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Oregon. Prosecutors say Love built fake personas, including an NFL player and a wealthy real-estate investor, while Chan pretended to be his financial adviser.
The alleged scheme began in February 2022 and continued until the men were arrested on Aug. 24, 2026, according to prosecutors. Arrest warrants for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud were issued Aug. 17. FBI agents and other law enforcement personnel arrested them nine days later.
After connecting with women on dating apps, the fake football player allegedly developed romantic relationships with them, telling them he wanted a lasting connection. He then suggested investment opportunities that prosecutors say were fraudulent. To make the pitches seem credible, he showed screenshots of messages from his alleged accomplice, authorities said.
When women said they did not have money to invest, prosecutors allege, he urged them to take out personal loans and promised they would be repaid quickly. Some of the victims also lent him money directly.
If the women began to question what was happening, he kept their money and blocked communications, according to the allegations. Altogether, the two men collected more than $1 million from victims, the U.S. Attorney's Office said.
Investigators believe more than 26 victims may exist, though not all have been confirmed. So far, none of the women has received any money from the purported investment scheme, officials said.
The men are being held in federal custody in Boise, Idaho. They made their first court appearance on Aug. 27.
The FBI continues to investigate and collect evidence from potential victims. Authorities said the investigation is complicated by the fact that the fake NFL player used multiple aliases across several states.
The case reflects a broader pattern authorities have warned about: online romance and investment scams that blend emotional trust with financial pressure. Such schemes can leave victims facing debt, damaged credit and lasting emotional harm, even when criminal charges are filed. Prosecutors said recovery is often difficult because money is moved quickly and identities are fabricated.
Federal wire fraud charges can carry severe penalties. Authorities have urged dating-app users to be wary of anyone who claims to be a professional athlete, financial expert or wealthy investor and then asks for money or urges loans. Verification through independent sources, skepticism of screenshots and refusing to send money to someone met online are common safety steps, officials say.
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