Fake NFL Player
Federal prosecutors in Portland say two people running an online romance-and-investment scam conned 26 women out of roughly $1.3 million — and one of the suspects allegedly posed as a San Francisco 49ers player to lend credibility to the plot.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office has charged 35-year-old Daejon Labrayae Love and 18-year-old Taylor Jamie Chan with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud. The FBI arrested the pair at Boise Airport on August 24 after agents say they flew into Idaho to meet potential new victims.
According to the indictment, the scheme began in February 2022 and targeted women across Oregon, Washington, Idaho and California. Prosecutors allege Love used dating apps and social media to present himself as a wealthy investor and an NFL player, cultivating romantic relationships with multiple victims while pitching fake investment opportunities. Chan is accused of posing as Love’s financial adviser to make the setup seem legitimate.
Investigators say the scammers created bogus investment vehicles and even set up fake bank accounts to simulate returns and transparency. Love allegedly relayed screenshots of messages from Chan to the women as proof of lucrative deals, persuading them to transfer significant sums. Once funds were wired, the indictment contends, the two vanished with the money.
Prosecutors claim the fraudulent activity siphoned about $1.3 million from the victims. They also allege Love and Chan built what appears to be a much larger stash from the scheme — prosecutors described the pair as having amassed assets valued in the tens of millions, according to court documents.
Love’s social profiles reportedly reinforced the ruse. Authorities point to images of Love sporting San Francisco 49ers gear and even a football helmet in gyms, parking lots and beaches — visuals that prosecutors say were used to bolster his NFL persona and entice victims.
The charges carry serious penalties if the defendants are convicted. For now, federal authorities have detained both suspects and filed the indictment in Portland. Court documents detail how the duo allegedly combined romance, manufactured investment prospects and fake documentation to defraud multiple women — some of whom were led to believe they were building futures with Love.
This case highlights a growing trend in romance-fraud schemes where scammers merge emotional manipulation with financial deception. Law enforcement has repeatedly warned daters and online romantics to verify identities, scrutinize investment opportunities and be wary of anyone who asks for large sums, regardless of how convincing their persona appears online.
Love and Chan are scheduled to appear in federal court as the case proceeds. With the indictment unsealed and arrests completed, prosecutors say investigators continue examining the full scope of the operation and any additional victims.
