Federal prosecutors have arrested Daejon Love, 35, for allegedly defrauding more than two dozen women out of $1.3 million by impersonating a San Francisco 49ers wide receiver and fabricating an entire NFL career. Love and an accomplice, 18-year-old Taylor Jamie Chan, were charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud.
Investigators identified 26 alleged victims across California, Oregon, Washington, and Idaho, with suspicions that more individuals may have been targeted. The scheme, which allegedly spanned over four years, involved Love creating an elaborate persona supported by costumes, social media performances, fabricated wealth, and staged videos.
Prosecutors allege that Love did not simply claim to be an NFL player but constructed a detailed multimedia presentation of his supposed career. This included a video purportedly showing him signing an NFL contract with the 49ers, identifying himself with the number 7, a jersey number famously worn by Colin Kaepernick and currently by DeMarcus Robinson. Both the NFL and the 49ers have stated Love never worked for either organization. To bolster his false narrative, Love allegedly purchased more than $1,160 in custom football helmets and gear from a seller called Green Gridiron. He posted workout videos while wearing 49ers attire and used authentic-looking NFL imagery, including footage of locker rooms and Super Bowl fields purportedly repurposed from actual NFL players.
Love also reportedly staged his financial success, purchasing social media followers, likes, and views to enhance his credibility. He allegedly used prop money and filmed himself signing autographs for non-existent fans. He also portrayed himself as being sponsored by Fabletics and rented expensive Airbnbs, which he presented as his own residences, sometimes furnishing them with empty designer luggage and hiring a bodyguard.
To facilitate the romance and investment schemes, Love allegedly used dating applications such as Hinge, Bumble, and Tinder. He created fake profiles, sometimes posing as a wealthy Swiss real estate developer in addition to the football player persona. After forming romantic relationships with victims, Love would reportedly have Chan, who allegedly posed as his financial adviser or business manager, engage with the women. The pair allegedly used fake investment accounts, staged FaceTime calls, and fabricated account balances to convince victims of Love's substantial wealth. Investigators noted that in one instance in January 2024, Love requested Chan provide a screenshot of a $3.4 million account, and another purported stock account was presented as being worth $11 million.
Prosecutors also highlighted the unusual involvement of Chan, who is identified as 18 years old but, according to the timeline, would have been approximately 13 or 14 when the alleged operation began in February 2022. In an early alleged incident, Love directed a woman he had recently met online to invest $10,000 through Chan.
Love was reportedly arrested at Boise Airport while still wearing 49ers apparel. Investigators also reportedly discovered additional San Francisco team merchandise, including a helmet, in an Airbnb associated with him. The FBI investigation into Love's alleged fraud concluded his elaborate deception after approximately four years.