Full Breakdown
Fake 49ers Player Charged in Multi-State Romance and Investment Scam
8/30/2026, 2:03:35 AM
The Fraud Scheme Unveiled
Federal investigators arrested Daejon Labrayae Love, 35, and his 18-year-old associate Taylor Jamie Chan in Boise, Idaho, on August 24, 2026. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon charged both men with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud. Love contacted women through dating apps beginning in February 2022, claiming to be an undrafted wide receiver for the San Francisco 49ers and a Swiss real-estate investor. Chan posed as Love’s financial adviser. They created fictitious investment opportunities, showed fabricated bank-account screenshots, and persuaded victims to send money via Apple Pay, wire transfers, or personal loans. When victims exhausted their funds or asked questions, Love blocked further communication while retaining the money.
Background & Context
Love’s deception relied on a curated online persona. He operated multiple Instagram accounts—including @2bcontinued_4—featuring photos in 49ers gear, a custom helmet purchased for over $1,160, and rented luxury cars. He also posted edited videos that incorporated footage of actual NFL players, removing original usernames to suggest personal involvement. The scheme spanned more than four years across California, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington.
Key Figures & Groups
- Daejon Labrayae Love – alleged fraudster; used aliases such as Jon Love, Avril Lyto Love, and Jordan Love.
- Taylor Jamie Chan – alleged financial adviser and co-conspirator.
- U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Oregon – filed the criminal complaint and issued the arrest warrants.
- FBI – conducted the investigation and executed the arrests.
- Justice Department – released statements summarizing the case.
- San Francisco 49ers and the NFL – confirmed Love was never employed by the team.
Data & Statistics
- Victims identified: 26 women.
- Total money obtained: approximately $1.3 million (federal filings); one outlet reported $1.8 million.
- Geographic scope: victims in California, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington.
- Travel window: Love was in Idaho to meet new victims from July 15 through August 24, 2026.
- Investment claims: Love promised “massive returns” and claimed a monthly income of $50,000 to secure a lease on a McLaren.
Official Statements & Responses
The Justice Department emphasized that Love and Chan fabricated bank statements and used Chan’s false adviser role to persuade victims to transfer funds. A 49ers spokesperson noted that player rosters are public and Love never appeared on any official list. The NFL declined further comment.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Monetary total: federal filings cite $1.3 million; a media outlet claimed $1.8 million.
- Victim identities: court documents list victims only by initials.
- Additional victims: the FBI indicated “many more victims” may exist, but no estimate was released.
- Timeline: the complaint lists activity through March 2026, while the Justice Department’s statement suggests fraud continued up to the August 24 arrests.
Impact and Broader Implications
The case shows how perpetrators exploit professional-sports affiliations to lend credibility to romance-based investment scams. Law-enforcement agencies stress verifying claimed employment with teams and caution consumers about unsolicited investment opportunities presented through personal relationships. The arrests illustrate coordinated federal action across multiple states and the challenges victims face when fraudsters blend romance with financial deception.
