Man Charged in $1.3 Million Romance Scam Posing as 49ers Player

<p>In late 2024, a video surfaced showing Daejon Labrayae Love signing what he claimed to be an NFL contract. When asked by the cameraman who he was signing with, Love stated, "Niners, you already know, Niner gang." OutKick did not publish a story at that time due to the inability to verify Love’s claimed NFL affiliation or any evidence of financial solicitation from women.</p><p>However, newly unsealed federal court records provide a different account. An FBI affidavit states that Love filmed himself "supposedly signing an employment contract with the 49ers" while claiming he would be a wide receiver. Representatives for the NFL and the 49ers informed investigators that Love had never been employed by the team or the league.</p><p>On August 25, 2026, the Justice Department announced that Love, 35, and Taylor Jamie Chan, 18, were charged in Portland, Oregon, with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud. Federal authorities allege that Love and Chan used a false 49ers persona, a lavish lifestyle, fictitious investment accounts, and romantic relationships to defraud 26 women in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and California out of approximately $1.3 million.</p><p>The affidavit indicates that Love portrayed himself as an NFL player for the 49ers or a wealthy Swiss real estate developer, while Chan acted as Love’s financial advisor, participating in three-way FaceTime calls with women and showcasing purported investment gains.</p><p>Investigators noted that Love posted misleading photographs, videos, and statements online to support his claims of being associated with the 49ers. The FBI reported that Love shared videos that appeared to show legitimate NFL players, presenting them as his own to convince women of his affiliation with the team.</p><p>Agents identified three videos from Love’s iCloud accounts, which had been shared approximately 185 times, including with numerous alleged victims. Two of these videos showed Love wearing a 49ers jacket. In one video, Love claimed that San Francisco "offered me the most money," mentioned receiving a signing bonus, and stated he attended team meetings and workouts.</p><p>The affidavit also details how Love claimed to have friendships with current and former NFL players, using these purported relationships to explain how he received tryout invitations. Investigators found no legitimate income or payroll checks from the 49ers or any other employer in Love’s financial records.</p><p>Additionally, the FBI revealed that Love spent over $1,160 at Green Gridiron, a website selling custom football helmets, and made purchases from companies that sell realistic fake cash and social media engagement. Love posted photos in 49ers apparel and was photographed with a 49ers helmet, including a 49ers-themed "LOVE 1" cake.</p><p>The affidavit alleges that Love used applications to create fake bank and investment account balances, which he displayed to women as proof of his wealth. In January 2024, Love reportedly asked Chan to create a screenshot showing a $3.4 million account balance, and the following month, he requested a stock account to appear worth $11 million.</p><p>Chan allegedly contributed to the scheme's credibility by posing as Love’s financial advisor, exchanging messages about fictitious investment opportunities, and participating in FaceTime calls where women were shown false investment gains.</p><p>Love and Chan were arrested together at Boise Airport on August 24, 2026. The complaint indicates that the alleged offenses occurred between February 2022 and March 2026, continuing until their arrests.</p><p>The affidavit identifies Chan as 18 but does not provide a date of birth. According to the timeline, Chan would have been 13 or 14 when the alleged scheme began. In February 2022, Love allegedly told a woman he met on a dating app to invest $10,000 with Chan.</p><p>In a separate filing in Idaho, prosecutors requested that a judge detain Love pending his transfer to Oregon, alleging he was wearing 49ers apparel at the time of his arrest and that agents later discovered $3,000 in cash and 49ers gear at an Airbnb associated with him.</p><p>As of publication, OutKick could not confirm whether any detention or transfer rulings had been made following their initial appearances. Prosecutors also indicated that Love was in Boise while attempting to defraud three additional victims in Idaho.</p><p>The San Francisco 49ers and Love’s attorney did not respond to requests for comment prior to publication. Love and Chan are presumed innocent until proven guilty.</p>