Federal prosecutors say a man accused of posing as a 49ers player turned dating apps into the front end of a $1.3 million fraud scheme that targeted at least 26 women.
Daejon Love, 35, was arrested on Aug. 24, along with his alleged “financial advisor,” 18-year-old Taylor Chan, at Boise airport. The two face charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud, and the FBI is investigating the case.
According to the Department of Justice, Love created dating app profiles that suggested he was part of San Francisco’s receiving corps. Prosecutors say he used several names, including Jordan Love, Jon Love, Dejon Love and Avril Lyto Love, while presenting himself as a wealthy player with money tied up in investments.
The alleged setup was designed to pull victims into what looked like a serious romantic relationship. Love portrayed himself as an investor looking to build his partners’ wealth, while Chan allegedly posed as his financial advisor. Together, they are accused of steering women into investing in nonexistent equities and bogus companies.
Financial records cited by prosecutors indicate that the pair took in at least $1.3 million. The DOJ says 26 victims have been identified so far, and more may exist.
Love also appears to have reinforced the scam with a fake Instagram presence that made him look like a 49ers player. He posted photos of himself in Niners gear while “working out” and shared screenshots of Instagram story posts that drew attention from players such as Fred Warner, Felix Anudike-Uzomah and Sam Okuayinonu.
Prosecutors say Love and Chan used phone apps to build fake bank and investment accounts, then showed victims screenshots of those accounts to sell the illusion. Chan allegedly sent messages urging Love to invest in new businesses, and Love forwarded those messages to victims while asking them to send money to him or Chan.
In some cases, the two are accused of holding three-way FaceTime calls with victims to push the funding along. When people couldn’t contribute more, Love and Chan allegedly encouraged them to take out personal loans. Love also reportedly promised to repay any money he received.
When victims ran out of money or began asking questions, Love is said to have cut off contact and never paid them back. None of the victims interviewed by the Department of Justice received compensation for the supposed investments.
The DOJ says Love and Chan were still looking for new victims in Idaho when they were arrested on Aug. 24.
They had their first court appearance on Aug. 27.
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