The alleged fake San Francisco 49ers player accused of orchestrating a $1.3 million romance and investment fraud scheme is an unusual case that is taking over social media.
Federal prosecutors allege Daejon Love, 35, spent years posing as a San Francisco 49ers wide receiver and wealthy Swiss real estate investor to gain the trust of women he met through dating apps before pitching bogus investment opportunities. Authorities say Taylor Jamie Chan, 18, posed as Love's financial adviser to make the investments appear legitimate. Prosecutors allege the pair defrauded at least 26 women across California, Idaho, Oregon and Washington out of more than $1.3 million.
Both Love and Chan were arrested on Monday, Aug. 24 in Boise, Idaho at the Boise Airport,
according to USA TODAY's previous reporting.
As more information continues to be revealed about the alleged scheme, here's what we know about the case and all of the viral attention it is receiving.
What all went into the alleged scheme?
According to the US Department of Justice, Love's alleged scheme relied in part on fictitious personas and a lavish lifestyle he displayed both in person and on social media. Prosecutors say Love falsely portrayed himself as legitimately wealthy, often claiming to be a 49ers player or a successful real estate investor. He allegedly convinced victims they were in sincere romantic relationships with him and that he and Chan could help them build wealth through investments.
The DOJ alleges Love also used phone applications to create fictitious bank and investment accounts and balances, which he showed to victims to make the scheme appear legitimate. Prosecutors say Love and Chan exchanged investment-related electronic messages in which Chan posed as Love's investment adviser, and Love then sent screenshots of those messages to victims to encourage them to send money.
Woman says she briefly dated Love before arrest
As the story spread nationwide, one woman who said she briefly dated Love before the alleged scheme became public told CBS News she immediately recognized him after seeing news coverage of his arrest.
Ayana Velasquez said she met a man who introduced himself as "Jonathan" through a dating app in 2021. Years later, she said he contacted her again, claiming he had made it to the NFL and sending numerous photos and videos appearing to show him as a member of the 49ers.
Velasquez, who said she never gave Love money, told CBS News she understands how some women may have believed his story. Retired FBI supervisory special agent Lance Leising told the network that romance scammers often build emotional trust before asking victims for money, making the schemes especially effective.
The internet reacts to the case
The case has also sparked a wave of parody posts across social media. One X post showed an edited Topps football trading card with the caption, "Just pulled this Daejon Love card in Topps Flagship Football. Anyone know what it's worth?"
Another widely shared X post from College Football Zone joked that "Sources confirm that former San Francisco 49ers WR Daejon Love will be transferring to LSU," poking fun at the alleged impersonation by treating Love like a real player entering the college football transfer portal.
A California real estate agent poked fun at Love's fictional real estate empire, writing on X "Just sold a house to legendary 49ers wide receiver Daejon Love. I think it’s like his 15th mansion. Hit me up if you need me too."
Rapper Nelly joined the trend by posting an Instagram message thanking Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys organization for "allowing me and my wife to be part of such an historic franchise," before ending the post with the team's famous rallying cry: "HOW BOUT DEM COWBOYS."
One of the most talked-about reactions, however, came from inside the 49ers organization.
Wide receivers coach Leonard Hankerson posted an Instagram image showing himself coaching Love during practice in full 49ers gear. Former San Francisco receiver Kendrick Bourne responded in the comments, "Man I knew you was coaching him," prompting Hankerson to reply, "Man I hate we lost him.... He was balling!!!"
Even Major League Baseball's Cleveland Guardians referenced the case, posting an edited lineup graphic featuring Love in a Guardians uniform before later joking, "Daejon is locked in."
What's next for the now-viral case?
Love remains in federal custody after a judge ordered him detained pending his transfer from Idaho to Oregon, where he faces federal wire fraud and conspiracy charges, according to the New York Post. Prosecutors argued Love posed a serious flight risk, alleging he used multiple identities, traveled through several states, had no known permanent residence and obtained significant proceeds from the alleged scheme. Because of the awaiting transfer, information on Love's pending court appearance is unknown.
Chan has been released pending trial and is scheduled to make a court appearance in Oregon on Sept. 10.
Reporter Anthony Thompson can be reached at ajthompson@usatodayco.com, or on X @athompsonUSAT
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: This alleged fake 49ers player scam is all over social media
