Federal authorities have arrested and charged two men, one of whom repeatedly posed as a San Francisco 49ers player, for defrauding more than two dozen women out of about $1.3 million.
The FBI arrested Daejon Love, 35, and Taylor Jamie Chan, 18, on Aug. 24 in Boise, Idaho, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office in the District of Oregon, via ESPN's Nick Wagoner. Both are charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud. The pair was arrested at the Boise airport on Monday after Chan flew in from California to meet Love. Both remain in federal custody.
Court documents say the scheme began in February 2022, when Love met women through dating apps and social media using fictitious personas. This included posing as a 49ers player or a wealthy
real estate investor. He used pseudonyms such as Jon Love, Avril Lyto Love and Jordan Love.
"Love convinced many of the victims they were in sincere romantic relationships with Love, 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," the U.S. Attorney's Office said in a statement.
Love allegedly used apps to fabricate bank and investment balances to show his victims, while Chan posed as his financial adviser to help legitimize fake investment opportunities. Some victims wired money directly or took out personal loans at Love's request, believing they'd be repaid with returns. Once victims ran out of money or grew suspicious, Love would cut off contact.
Financial records show Love and Chan received roughly $1.3 million from the 26 identified victims across California, Idaho, Washington and Oregon, though the FBI believes there are more.
Love's Instagram account reportedly included numerous posts of him in 49ers gear and appearing to practice with the team, and Dan Zaksheske of Outkick previously shared a video showing Love signing what appeared to be an NFL contract.
THIS STORY IS INSANE
— uSTADIUM (@uSTADIUM) August 28, 2026
Daejon Love pretended to be a #49ers player for years and defrauding more than 20 women and companies out of $1.3M.
The FBI got involved and arrested Daejon. The #NFL is looking into the matter. pic.twitter.com/LBpNWD2thM
There is no record of Love ever playing football, and neither the 49ers nor the NFL has issued a response to the arrest.
This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: Man who posed as 49ers player charged in $1.3M fraud scheme
