A man accused of pretending to be a 49ers player is now facing federal charges in a dating app fraud scheme that prosecutors say cost at least 26 women about $1.3 million.
Federal authorities allege that Daejon Love, 35, used dating apps and social media to build a fake identity as a San Francisco wide receiver, then used that persona to pull women into bogus investments. Love was arrested on Aug. 24, along with his alleged “financial advisor,” 18-year-old Taylor Chan, at Boise airport. Both are charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud, and the FBI is investigating.
According to the Department of Justice, Love used several names, including Jordan Love, Jon Love, Dejon Love and Avril Lyto Love. Prosecutors say he created dating profiles suggesting he was part of San Francisco’s receiving corps and convinced women he was in a serious romantic relationship with them. From there, he allegedly cast himself as a smart investor looking to grow the wealth of the women he was targeting, while Chan posed as his wealth manager.
The setup was elaborate. Love and Chan are accused of steering victims toward nonexistent equities and fake companies, while using phone apps to build phony bank and investment accounts.
Love would reportedly show screenshots of those accounts to make the scheme look real. In some cases, the pair held three-way FaceTime calls with victims to pressure them into sending money.
The DOJ says Chan also sent Love messages pushing him to invest in new businesses, and Love would forward those messages to victims as supposed proof. When victims couldn’t send more money, Love and Chan allegedly encouraged them to take out personal loans. Love allegedly promised to repay whatever he received.
Instead, prosecutors say, the money disappeared. When victims pressed for answers or ran out of funds, Love is believed to have cut off contact without paying them back. None of the victims interviewed by the Department of Justice received compensation for the supposed investments.
Authorities say the pair were still looking for new victims in Idaho when they were arrested.
Love also built a fake presence online to support the act. He reportedly ran a bogus Instagram account that made it seem as though he was connected to the 49ers, and he posted photos of himself in Niners gear while “working out.” He also shared screenshots of Instagram story posts that drew attention from players including Fred Warner, Felix Anudike-Uzomah and Sam Okuayinonu.
Love and Chan had their first court appearance on Aug. 27.
In Other News...
Raiders Receiver Room Is Already Facing Pressure Fans Can't Ignore
The Raiders receiver room has barely had time to settle in, and it is already looking thinner than the roster numbers suggest. Las Vegas carried six wideouts on its initial 53-man roster, but none of them has separated himself as a clear top option, and the group took another hit when fourth-round pick Donte Thornton Jr. went on injured reserve and will miss the first four games of the season.
Head coach Klint Kubiak has already voiced concern about how the wide receivers are performing, which only adds to the pressure on a unit that needs answers fast. The team also brought in Cody White on the practice squad for extra depth, a small but telling move that underscores how much uncertainty is sitting in the room as the season gets underway. [Read more 🡒]
Raiders May Have Found What Ashton Jeanty Needed For Year 2
Ashton Jeanty arrived in Las Vegas with the kind of expectations that come with being the No. 6 overall pick, and his first season mostly lived up to the billing. Even with an ankle injury lingering from the preseason, he still led all rookies in rushing yards and showed enough as a receiver to hint at how much more he can be than a straight-ahead runner. With head coach Klint Kubiak planning to lean on him heavily in the offense, the Raiders appear ready to make year 2 a much bigger stage for him.
Mike Washington Jr.s emergence could be just as important for Jeanty as the workload Kubiak has in mind. A rookie back who can help absorb carries gives the Raiders a little more balance, and it could keep Jeanty fresher as the season goes on. For a player expected to be central to the offense, having another back ready to contribute may be exactly the kind of support that helps unlock the breakout many in Las Vegas have been waiting for. [Read more 🡒]
Raiders 53-Man Roster Reveals How Fast This New Era Is Taking Shape
The Raiders have put their initial 53-man roster in place for the 2026 season, and the list offers a clear snapshot of how quickly this new regime has put its stamp on the team. The roster is built from every corner of the player market, from the draft and free agency to waivers, trades and undrafted signings, with the mix showing just how aggressively the front office has tried to reshape the depth chart in a short span.
There is also a bigger organizational story tucked into the numbers. The breakdown by general manager influence, the age profile at each position and the college-conference makeup all point to a roster being built with a specific identity in mind, while several players are already back alongside former college teammates. For a team trying to establish a new era, those connections and construction details may matter as much as the names themselves. [Read more 🡒]