In a scheme that reads like a twisted sports fan's nightmare, two men from Portland, Oregon, are facing federal charges for allegedly running a $1.3 million con that involved one of them pretending to be a San Francisco 49ers player. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Oregon announced the charges on Tuesday, revealing a web of lies that targeted women across multiple states.
Daejon Labrayae Love, 35, and Taylor Jamie Chan, 18, were charged with wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud. According to the criminal complaint, the duo's operation was built on fake investment opportunities and a carefully crafted illusion of wealth, with Love posing as either a 49ers star or a successful real estate mogul to win over his victims.
The scheme reportedly began in February 2022 and ran until their arrest on August 24, 2026. Love reportedly met most of his targets through dating apps, while Chan played the role of Love's financial adviser to add a veneer of legitimacy. The pair allegedly went to great lengths to fabricate documents and flaunt a lavish lifestyle on social media, all to convince women they were investing in something real.
Court documents reveal that Love and Chan solicited money from at least 26 identified victims across Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and California. The FBI believes the actual number of victims could be much higher. The scheme unraveled when victims either ran out of money or started asking too many questions, at which point the duo would cut off all communication.
The arrest came after a coordinated effort by the FBI and local law enforcement. Chan flew from California to meet Love in Boise, Idaho, on August 24, 2026, where both were apprehended at the airport. Investigators discovered that Love was in Idaho to meet new potential victims, having traveled to New Mexico, California, Oregon, Nevada, Utah, and Idaho over the previous month.
This isn't the first time sports has been used as a cover for fraud, but it's a stark reminder that not everything in the sports world is as it seems. The case also echoes the broader issue of trust and deception in sports, where fans and victims alike can be left feeling betrayed.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bryan Chinwuba and Chris Cardani are prosecuting the case. Love and Chan made their first court appearance on Thursday. The charges carry potential prison time, but for the victims, the emotional and financial toll may be harder to recover from.
While the 49ers organization has not commented, the news has sent ripples through the fanbase. It's a cautionary tale about the dangers of online dating and the lengths some will go to for money. As the legal process unfolds, many will be watching to see if more victims come forward.
