Man posing as 49ers player and accomplice arrested for $1.3 million dating scam
Federal authorities arrested Daejon Labrayae Love, 35, and 18-year-old Taylor Jamie Chan for allegedly defrauding more than 26 women of $1.3 million by pretending Love was a wealthy San Francisco 49ers player.
According to a federal complaint, Daejon Labrayae Love, 35, and his alleged associate Taylor Jamie Chan, 18, were apprehended at an airport in Boise, Idaho, after investigators learned Love was traveling to meet additional victims. The duo is accused of orchestrating a scheme that began in February 2022, targeting women across California, Oregon, Idaho and Washington. Love allegedly presented himself as a prosperous San Francisco 49ers player and real-estate investor, while Chan posed as his financial adviser to lend credibility to fabricated investment deals.
Through dating apps and Instagram posts featuring Love in 49ers apparel, they cultivated romantic relationships and persuaded victims to send money, sometimes urging them to take out personal loans. The money was never returned, and the victims received no investment returns. Both men have been charged with wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud and are scheduled to appear in court in Idaho.
Why it matters
The case highlights how romance and sports fame can be exploited in elaborate online fraud schemes.
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