Two men arrested in multi-state romance-fraud scheme that duped women of $1.3 million
Federal prosecutors say a man posing as a San Francisco 49ers player and his alleged adviser defrauded at least 26 women across four states, prompting arrests in Idaho.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon announced that two suspects were arrested on Aug. 24 in Idaho on charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud. investigators say Daejon Labrayae Love, 35, pretended to be a San Francisco 49ers player, while 18-year-old Taylor Jamie Chan posed as his financial adviser. Together they created bogus investment opportunities that allegedly swindled more than $1.3 million from at least 26 women in California, Oregon, Washington and Idaho.
According to prosecutors, Love used dating apps and multiple aliases, including Jon Love and Jordan Love, to establish romantic relationships with the victims. He displayed images of himself in 49ers apparel, exotic cars and beach workouts on an Instagram profile that listed “NFL Wide Receiver @49ers #undrafted” in the bio. The scheme involved three-way FaceTime calls in which Love and Chan presented falsified investment returns and urged victims to send money, sometimes encouraging them to take out loans. When victims could not provide additional funds or raised questions, Love reportedly blocked further contact.
Federal agents said Love traveled to several western states in July and August to meet new victims and was apprehended at Boise Airport alongside Chan. The FBI believes the number of victims may be higher than currently identified.