Authorities say 26 women targeted across four states
Suspect allegedly used dating apps, fake investments
FBI believes there may be ‘many more victims’
Federal authorities claim a man posed as a San Francisco 49ers player and scammed more than two dozen women out of about $1.3m.
The FBI arrested Daejon Love, 35, and his alleged accomplice Taylor Jamie Chan, 18, on 24 August in Boise, Idaho. They were charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud, according to the US attorney’s office in the District of Oregon. The men remain in federal custody in Boise.
In a scheme that began in February 2022 and spanned more than four years until the 24 August arrests, authorities say Love created fictitious personas to meet women on dating apps, presenting himself as a player for the Niners. To support that claim, he posted photos on social media wearing official team gear and posing with luxury vehicles.
The pair allegedly created fictitious investment opportunities to defraud 26 victims in California, Idaho, Washington and Oregon. The FBI believes there are “many more victims” out there.
“Love convinced many of the victims they were in sincere romantic relationships, that he was a sophisticated investor, and that Chan was his investment adviser who helped Love grow a fortune worth tens of millions of dollars,” the US attorney’s office said in a statement.
“Love had romantic relationships with many of the victims and told them he wanted to build wealth and a future together. Love advertised nonexistent investment vehicles and claimed these investments would generate massive returns for both him and his victims.“
None of the alleged victims interviewed said they received any return on their investments, or repayments for loans made to Love and Chan.
The US attorney’s office said Love would block communications with the women after they ran out of funds to invest or asked too many questions.
