A man federal investigators say built a fake NFL life around San Francisco 49ers gear, luxury imagery and online dating is now accused of using that persona to take more than $1.3 million from at least 26 women. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon, 35-year-old Daejon Love and 18-year-old Taylor Jamie Chan have been charged by criminal complaint with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud.
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Federal prosecutors allege the scheme involving Daejon Love began in February 2022 and targeted women in Oregon, Washington, Idaho and California. The Justice Department says Love met most of the women online, including through dating apps, before presenting himself as either a San Francisco 49ers player or a wealthy real estate investor. Prosecutors say many of the women believed they were in genuine romantic relationships with him and were told he wanted to build wealth and a future together.The football persona was apparently much more detailed than simply putting the 49ers in a dating profile. According to an FBI affidavit, representatives for both the San Francisco 49ers and the NFL told investigators Love had never been employed by the team or league. Investigators nevertheless allege Love posted videos and photographs designed to make the NFL story believable, including content of him wearing team apparel and holding 49ers equipment.
A video from late 2024 appears to show Daejon Love signing what he represented as an NFL contract. When the person filming asked which organization he was signing with, Love answered, “Niners, you already know, Niner gang.” According to the FBI affidavit, Love also filmed himself supposedly signing an employment agreement with San Francisco while claiming he would play wide receiver.
Investigators allege the image building went even further. Love spent more than $1,160 with Green Gridiron, a company that sells custom football helmets. Investigators also identified purchases from Prop Money Inc., which sells realistic-looking fake cash for entertainment productions, as well as purchases from businesses selling social media followers, likes, and views. Federal investigators further alleged that some videos Love circulated were screen recordings of actual NFL players with identifying information removed before he presented the footage as his own.
According to the same FBI affidavit, Daejon Love allegedly claimed connections to NFL players including Tyreek Hill, Antonio Brown and John Brown while explaining how he supposedly received opportunities to try out for professional teams. Investigators also said Love claimed San Francisco had “offered me the most money” and told viewers he had received a signing bonus and attended team meetings and workouts. The affidavit says investigators found no identifiable legitimate income in Love’s financial records and no payroll deposits from the 49ers or another legitimate employer.
The alleged NFL identity was only one piece of the operation. According to the Justice Department, Chan was introduced to women as Love’s financial adviser and allegedly helped make the supposed investment opportunities appear legitimate. Prosecutors say the two exchanged messages about purported investments, with Love later forwarding screenshots of those conversations to women as proof that opportunities were real. They also allegedly participated in three-way FaceTime calls during which women were shown falsified investment gains.
The numbers displayed to victims could be staggering. CBS San Francisco reported from the federal case that one screenshot showed an application claiming Daejon Love had more than $5 million in cash and another $15 million in investments. The affidavit also describes Love asking Chan in January 2024 to create a screenshot showing a $3.4 million account balance, followed the next month by a request for a stock account that appeared to contain $11 million.
Prosecutors say some women sent money believing it would be placed into legitimate investments, while others loaned Love large sums directly. According to the Justice Department, women who did not have enough available cash were sometimes instructed to obtain personal loans after being assured the money would quickly be repaid. Investigators say that once a woman had no more money available, or began asking too many questions, Love allegedly blocked her and kept the funds. None of the identified victims interviewed by investigators reported receiving investment proceeds, returns on their principal, or account information after sending money, according to federal authorities.
Financial records cited by federal prosecutors show approximately $1.3 million was received from the 26 identified victims, although the FBI believes there are “many more” potential victims. The government says Love used multiple names during the alleged scheme, including Jon Love, Daejon Love, Avril Lyto Love and Jordan Love. Investigators also tracked extensive travel between July 15 and August 24, 2026, saying Love moved through New Mexico, California, Oregon, Nevada, Utah and Idaho.
There is also an unresolved timeline issue surrounding Chan’s alleged role. OutKick noted in its review of the federal filings that Chan is identified as 18, even though the government says the overall scheme began in February 2022, a timeline that would place him around 13 or 14 at the start. The affidavit does not provide Chan’s date of birth, while the Justice Department’s announcement attributes the alleged scheme beginning in February 2022 to both defendants. The available public filings do not yet resolve when prosecutors allege Chan personally became involved.
Federal authorities say arrest warrants and the criminal complaint were issued on August 17. On August 24, investigators say Chan flew from California to Boise, Idaho, where he met Daejon Love. The FBI and other law enforcement officers arrested both men at Boise Airport. Prosecutors said Love was in Idaho to “meet new victims,” and a separate detention filing alleged he was actively attempting to defraud three additional women in Idaho. Agents also allegedly found about $3,000 in cash and 49ers gear, including a helmet, at an Airbnb connected to him.
The Justice Department stresses that the criminal complaint contains allegations only and that both defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
