The FBI has charged two men with scamming at least 26 women out of $1.3 million in four states. One of the alleged fraudsters posed as a San Francisco 49ers player.
Daejon Labrayae Love, 35, and Taylor Jamie Chan, 18, have been charged in Portland, Ore., federal court with wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
From February 2022 until they were arrested on Monday, Love and Chan solicited money from women in California, Oregon, Washington and Idaho through lies and misrepresentations, according to the United States Attorney’s Office in Portland.
Love portrayed himself on Instagram as a 49ers wide receiver who went undrafted but worked his way onto the roster. He met most of the women through dating apps and developed romantic relationships with many of them, according to the FBI. Chan falsely posed as Love’s financial adviser.
In an Instagram Story titled “NFL Journey,” Love held a 49ers helmet while driving and said, “I’m on my way to get my mom. I know I get a lot of fans who want to know how football works or how I got involved in the league…. If you know me and see me in person I’ll explain.
“I chose SF because it was the right time. I was kind of already living in the Bay and it just worked out for me.” Love’s monologue is interrupted momentarily by beeps from his car and he says, “I’m in my new McLaren and it’s just real touch-and-go.”
Then he posts a screenshot of a web page AI Overview that says “Daejon Love is a wide receiver for the San Francisco 49ers, and information about his position, contract and teammate texting habits is available online. He is also associated with the team in various social media content and articles.”
Back on the screen, Love says, “That’s Google. That’s not me, that’s Google.”
He goes on to explain why he isn’t playing now, lifting a crooked finger to the camera and saying he is injured. He concludes the story by again saying he wants “full transparency” because “people ask, What do I do? How can I afford a $500,000 car? How can I afford a $300,000 [Lamborghini] Urus? “
He repeats that he’s going to pick up his mom, then concludes by inviting those watching to reach out to him to meet in person.
“The scheme relied on Love’s creation of fictitious personas and display of a lavish lifestyle which Love presented to victims both in person and on social media websites,” federal authorities said in a press release.
“Chan and Love also hosted three-way FaceTime calls in which they showed victims falsified investment gains and encouraged victims to part with their money. Victims sent Love and Chan money due to their belief that their money would be invested in legitimate investment vehicles on the victims’ behalf.”
The FBI said Love instructed several who did not have cash to invest to take out personal loans, assuring them they would quickly be repaid.
Love and Chan were taken into custody on Monday at the Boise (Idaho) Airport and have a court appearance Thursday in Portland. Investigators learned that just from July 15 through Aug. 24, Love traveled to New Mexico, California, Oregon, Nevada, Utah and Idaho.
Love has used several names including Jon Love, Daejon Love, Avril Lyto Love and Jordan Love. Twenty-six victims have been identified, and the FBI believes there are more.
The post How an alleged fake 49ers wideout wooed women and took $1.3 million: ‘That’s Google, not me’ appeared first on Los Angeles Times.
