Man Pretended To Be An NFL Star To Scam Women On Apps

A man allegedly took catfishing to an entirely different level, with federal prosecutors accusing him of pretending to be an NFL player while running a years-long romance and investment scam. Daejon Labrayae Love, 35, and alleged accomplice Taylor Jamie Chan, 18, have been charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud after authorities say they defrauded at least 26 women of approximately $1.3 million. The FBI believes there could be many more victims. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon, the alleged scheme stretched from February 2022 until the pair’s arrests on August 24, 2026.

Prosecutors say Love met most of the women through dating apps and built an elaborate persona designed to make him look both famous and extremely wealthy. At different times, he allegedly presented himself as a member of the San Francisco 49ers or a successful real estate investor, while filling his social media pages with images of a lavish lifestyle. Photos released by authorities reportedly showed Love wearing 49ers gear and posing around expensive vehicles, helping sell the illusion that he had NFL money behind him. According to investigators, representatives from the 49ers confirmed that Love had no connection to the organization or the NFL.

The football story was apparently pretty detailed too. Love allegedly presented himself as a wide receiver who had gone undrafted before fighting his way onto San Francisco’s roster. The Los Angeles Times reported that he even posted an Instagram Story labeled “NFL Journey” in which he discussed how he supposedly got into professional football. Federal investigators say Love also used several names during the scheme, including Jon Love, Avril Lyto Love and, interestingly enough, Jordan Love — the same name as the Green Bay Packers quarterback.

But prosecutors allege the fake NFL career was only part of how Love gained women’s trust. He reportedly developed romantic relationships with several victims, telling them that he wanted to build wealth and a future together. That is where Chan allegedly came into play. Authorities say Chan posed as Love’s financial adviser, supposedly helping Love manage and grow a fortune worth tens of millions of dollars. The two allegedly exchanged investment-related messages that Love could screenshot and send to women as further “proof” that the opportunities he was pitching were legitimate.

The operation allegedly became even more elaborate from there. Prosecutors say Love used phone apps to create fake bank and investment accounts with massive balances, and that Love and Chan also participated in three-way FaceTime calls in which victims were shown bogus investment gains. Women were then encouraged to send money to Love or Chan for supposed investment opportunities. In some cases, authorities say Love went so far as to instruct women who did not have enough cash to take out personal loans, assuring them they would quickly recoup their money.

According to federal investigators, that return never came. Of the identified victims interviewed by authorities, none reported receiving investment proceeds, their principal back or legitimate account information after sending money. Prosecutors allege Love would eventually cut off communication once a woman had no more money to invest or started asking too many questions. Financial records cited by investigators show approximately $1.3 million was sent to Love and Chan by the victims identified so far.

Love and Chan were arrested at Boise Airport in Idaho on August 24 after investigators learned Chan had flown there from California to meet Love. Authorities allege Love was in Idaho at the time to meet additional potential victims. Both men were taken into federal custody, while the FBI continues searching for anyone else who may have encountered the pair. The charges remain allegations, and both defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty. Anyone with information has been asked to contact the FBI.

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