How a fake 49ers player scammed women for $1.3M in dating app fraud scheme

How a fake 49ers player scammed women for $1.3M in dating app fraud scheme originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The 49ers have garnered headlines for all the wrong reasons in recent weeks. Owner Jed York was arrested on the suspicion of engaging in prostitution on Aug. 23 before eventually pleading no contest to two misdemeanors related to the incident.

A little less than one week later, San Francisco returned to marquees — albeit in a negative way. Daejon Love is facing federal charges related to a ploy that saw him allegedly pose as a 49ers player to scam more than two dozen women out of more than $1 million.

Love was arrested on Aug. 24. He is currently under investigation by the FBI for his alleged ruse. Here's what we know so far about the latest in a string of wacky stories pertaining to the Niners.

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Federal prosecutors allege that Love, 35, posed as a Niners player to defraud at least 26 women of about $1.3 million.

FBI agents arrested Love and his alleged "financial advisor", 18-year-old Taylor Chan, at Boise airport on Aug. 24. Love is accused of creating profiles on dating apps suggesting he was a part on San Francisco's receiving corps.

Love reportedly used several pseudonyms, including Jordan Love, Jon Love, Dejon Love and Avril Lyto Love, according to the Department of Justice.

Love and Chan are charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud. They are said to have conned victims into believing Love was in a serious romantic relationship with them. Love portrayed himself as a savvy investor interested in building the wealth of his purported lovers. Chan masqueraded as Love's wealth manager. Together, they reportedly coaxed women into investing into Love's nonexistent equities.

Financial records indicate Love and Chan swindled victims out of at least $1.3 million. 26 victims have been identified, according to the Department of Justice. More are believed to exist.

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U.S. Attorney’s Office District of Oregon

Love flaunted his nonexistent wealth on social media, creating a bogus Instagram account that made it appear as if he was a member of the 49ers. 

A post shared by Daejon Love (@2bcontinued_4)

A post shared by Daejon Love (@2bcontinued_4)

Love routinely posted pictures of himself wearing Niners apparel while "working out." 

A post shared by Daejon Love (@2bcontinued_4)

He also posted screenshots of Instagram story posts that attracted the attention of San Francisco players like Fred Warner. Felix Anudike-Uzomah and Sam Okuayinonu.

A post shared by Daejon Love (@2bcontinued_4)

Love reportedly pretended that he was a wealthy 49ers wide receiver to convince victims to invest in bogus companies he feigned having money tied up in. He and Chan are accused of using phone applications to create fake bank and investment accounts. Love would reportedly show screenshots of these fraudulent accounts to victims in the hopes of convincing them to invest in his schemes.

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According to the Department of Justice's filing, Love and Chan went great lengths to fool victims. Chan would reportedly send Love messages encouraging him to invest in new businesses. Love would forward those messages to victims, asking them to send money to him or Chan. On certain occasions, Love and Chan would host three-way FaceTime calls with victims to secure their funding. In cases where victims were unable to provide funding, Love and Chan would reportedly encourage them to take out personal loans. Love allegedly vowed to pay back any money he received from victims.

When victims were unable to provide further investment or asked too many questions, Love is believed to have blocked communication with them without paying them back. None of the victims identified and interviewed by the Department of Justice received compensation for their so-called investment. Love and Chan are believed to have been in the process of seeking out new victims in Idaho when they were apprehended by authorities on Aug. 24.

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Love and Chan face federal charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud. They had their first court appearance on Aug. 27. Their case is being investigated by the FBI.

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