Federal prosecutors say a man accused of pretending to be a 49ers player used dating apps, fake investment accounts and a manufactured romance to help swindle at least 26 women out of about $1.3 million.
The accused is Daejon Love, 35, who was arrested by FBI agents at Boise airport on Aug. 24 along with his alleged “financial advisor,” 18-year-old Taylor Chan. Authorities say Love created profiles on dating apps that made him appear to be part of San Francisco’s receiving corps, then built out the lie with a bogus Instagram presence that suggested he was a member of the 49ers.
Love reportedly used several names, including Jordan Love, Jon Love, Dejon Love and Avril Lyto Love, according to the Department of Justice. On social media, he posted photos of himself in Niners gear while “working out” and shared screenshots of Instagram story posts that drew attention from San Francisco players including Fred Warner. Felix Anudike-Uzomah and Sam Okuayinonu.
The scheme, prosecutors allege, was built around more than just a fake identity. Love and Chan are charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud after allegedly convincing women that Love was in serious romantic relationships with them. From there, Love cast himself as a sharp investor who wanted to grow the wealth of the women he was targeting, while Chan posed as his wealth manager.
According to the Department of Justice, the pair used phone apps to create fake bank and investment accounts, then showed victims screenshots of those accounts to push them into sending money. Chan would reportedly message Love about putting money into new businesses, and Love would pass those messages along to victims while asking them to wire cash to him or Chan. In some cases, they held three-way FaceTime calls to get the money.
When victims couldn’t keep up with the demands, prosecutors say Love and Chan urged them to take out personal loans. Love allegedly promised to repay any money he received. Instead, when victims stopped sending funds or started asking questions, he is believed to have cut off contact and never paid them back.
Financial records indicate the two took in at least $1.3 million. The Justice Department says 26 victims have been identified so far, and more may exist. None of the victims interviewed by the department received compensation for the money they sent.
Authorities say Love and Chan were still looking for new victims in Idaho when they were taken into custody on Aug. 24.
Their first court appearance came on Aug. 27.
The case is now being investigated by the FBI.
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