Federal authorities arrested two men on August 24, 2026, at the Boise Airport in Idaho, charging them with running a multi-state romance scam that targeted at least 26 women and netted over $1.3 million, according to court documents obtained by USA TODAY Sports. Daejon Love, 35, and Taylor Jamie Chan, 18, face federal wire fraud and conspiracy charges for a scheme that investigators allege began in February 2022 across California, Idaho, Washington, and Oregon.
The 49ers Player Persona and Online Dating Tactics
According to federal court documents, Daejon Love posed as a wide receiver for the San Francisco 49ers while courting victims primarily in their 20s and 30s through dating platforms including Tinder, Bumble, Hinge, and Facebook Dating. Love also claimed to be a wealthy real estate developer and investor from Switzerland, while 18-year-old co-conspirator Taylor Jamie Chan played the role of his financial advisor. Investigators stated that Love maintained the athlete persona on social media by posting pictures of himself wearing 49ers gear and team helmets, falsely claiming he signed with the franchise because they offered the most money and contended for the Super Bowl every season.
Financial Fraud and Fake Account Balances
Court documents outline how the suspects convinced victims they were in sincere romantic relationships before soliciting funds for nonexistent investments that promised massive financial returns. To bolster his credibility, Love shared fabricated screenshots of bank account balances exceeding $30 million. An affidavit cited by USA TODAY Sports noted that Love once falsely claimed to have increased his net worth from $300,000 to $17 million in a few years through investments managed by Chan. For victims without liquid cash, the suspects allegedly assisted them in taking out personal loans. Representatives from the San Francisco 49ers and the NFL confirmed to investigators that Love was never employed by the team or the league.
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