FBI: Fake 49ers Player Scheme Grew to 61 Victims, $1.3 Million Stolen

The number of victims in a fraudulent scheme allegedly masterminded by Daejon Love, who posed as a San Francisco 49ers player, has grown to 61, the FBI announced Friday. Investigators initially suspected that Love and his 18-year-old accomplice, Taylor Chan, had defrauded 26 individuals, but the total number of victims has significantly increased.

FBI Special Agent Douglas A. Olson stated that the rapid expansion of the case was surprising. "We were surprised how many people were victimized in such a short period of time and then to have that many more come forward," Olson said, according to ESPN. "It’s a large volume for just a couple of subjects." Olson expressed concern that similar schemes could be replicated by others.

Prosecutors allege that from February 2022 until their arrest last month, Love and Chan constructed an intricate deception to solicit money from women. The alleged scheme involved Love impersonating a 49ers player and offering investment opportunities, while Chan posed as his financial advisor. Once the victims transferred funds, the two reportedly ceased all contact.

In total, Love and Chan are accused of stealing $1.3 million. Olson highlighted the targeted nature of the fraud, noting that the victims were not easily fooled. "The women didn’t just fall for something obvious," he told The Oregonian. "They were deliberately targeted by people who worked very hard to earn that trust and steal their money."

Love, 35, and Chan face charges of wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud, each carrying a potential sentence of up to 20 years in prison if convicted. The FBI is urging anyone else who may have been deceived by Love and Chan to come forward, emphasizing that there should be no fear of embarrassment. "We want to help them and we want to make sure that this doesn’t happen to anybody else," Olson said.