Daejon Labrayae Love never played a down in the NFL — but according to federal prosecutors, he spent more than four years convincing women he did. Love, 35, was arrested by the FBI on August 24 in Boise, Idaho, and charged in Portland, Oregon, with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud. Prosecutors allege he posed as a San Francisco 49ers player and wealthy real estate investor to defraud at least 26 women in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and California out of more than $1.3 million through romance and investment scams. An alleged accomplice, 18-year-old Taylor Jamie Chan, is accused of posing as Love’s financial adviser to make the fake investments look legitimate.
Here’s what prosecutors say happened, how the scheme allegedly worked, and where the case stands. A criminal complaint is an accusation only — both men are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Why the Story Took Off
Romance scams are common; a four-year fake NFL career conducted in public, on social media, against a backdrop of real Google search results is not. The case landed on ESPN, Fox, and CBS within hours of the Justice Department’s announcement — partly because the alleged con was so brazen, and partly because a real NFL paycheck is public information. League minimum salaries and weekly pay are collectively bargained and easy to look up, which is exactly the kind of check none of the fake bank screenshots could survive — here’s how NFL game checks actually work. The full charging announcement is posted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon.
The Bottom Line
Daejon Love is not a 49er, never was, and now faces federal wire fraud charges that prosecutors say cost 26 women more than $1.3 million. Both defendants remain in federal custody in Boise, and the FBI is still seeking additional victims. This page will be updated as the case moves through federal court.