Federal authorities say at least 35 additional women have come forward accusing Daejon Love of fraud, expanding the number of alleged victims in a scheme in which he is accused of posing as a San Francisco 49ers player and a wealthy investor.
Love, 35, and an alleged accomplice, 18-year-old Taylor Chan — who prosecutors say posed as Love’s financial adviser — were arrested in August and have been charged with wire fraud. The FBI previously disclosed that Love had conned more than two dozen women he met, many via dating apps, out of roughly $1.3 million.
How the Scheme Allegedly Worked
Prosecutors say the pair used a combination of AI-assisted fake identities, fabricated investment accounts and staged video calls to gain trust. According to filings, Love sometimes claimed to be a former NFL player, or that he was on reserve or injured, and persuaded several women who believed they were in relationships with him to send funds with promises of high returns.
The alleged victims lived in California, Idaho, Washington and Oregon. Officials say the scheme began around February 2022 and continued until the arrests in August. Federal filings do not disclose how Love and Chan first met.
Investigators' Description
Court documents describe Love as nomadic, with little known about his family ties and no known legitimate source of employment. Since his arrest, texts and videos showing Love flaunting a seemingly lavish lifestyle and 49ers merchandise have circulated widely on social media, drawing mockery from some users.
"Victim blaming is unjust and it's harmful and it overlooks the calculated, highly manipulative lengths these individuals went to deceive and exploit others," Portland FBI Special Agent Douglas Olson said at a news conference.
Olson added that victims were often encouraged to take out personal loans or make life-altering financial decisions because they believed they were building futures with someone they trusted. "Once the money was taken, the victims were cut off, left without answers, without funds, and often without closure," he said.
What To Do If You Were Affected
The FBI and federal prosecutors have urged anyone who may have been victimized to contact law enforcement. A public defender for Love and an attorney for Chan did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Note: Charges are allegations; defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
