More than 35 women allege fraud by man posing as 49ers player

At least 35 additional women have reported fraud allegations against Daejon Love, who previously was accused of posing as a San Francisco 49ers player and wealthy investor, the FBI said on Friday. Love, 35, and Taylor Chan, 18, who acted as his purported financial adviser, were arrested in August and charged with wire fraud.

According to federal investigators, Love employed AI-generated fake identities, fabricated investment accounts and staged video calls with Chan to win the trust of women in California, Idaho, Washington and Oregon. He told some victims he was a former NFL player, while others were told he was on the reserve list or injured. The scheme, which began in February 2022 and continued until their arrest, involved persuading women to send money for investments that were promised high returns.

Prosecutors described Love as nomadic with no known legitimate employment and little information about his family background.

"Victim blaming is unjust and it’s harmful and it overlooks the calculated, highly manipulative lengths these individuals went to deceive and exploit others," FBI special agent Douglas Olson said at a news conference. "Victims were encouraged to take out personal loans and make life-altering financial decisions based on the belief they were building a future with someone they cared about. Once the money was taken, the victims were cut off, left without answers, without funds, and often without closure. Many lost not only their savings, but their sense of security and confidence."

Olson urged anyone who may have been targeted to contact law enforcement.