Federal investigators have identified 35 additional women who report they were targeted by Daejon Love and Taylor Chan, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The newly identified individuals bring the total count of alleged victims past 60 in a multistate scheme where Love allegedly posed as a San Francisco 49ers football player and wealthy investor.
FBI Identifies Dozens of New Alleged Victims in Fake 49ers Fraud Case
Portland FBI Special Agent in Charge Doug Olson stated at a news conference that the bureau is actively working to verify the claims of the 35 newly surfaced women. We were surprised how many people were victimized in such a short period of time and then to have that many more come forward,
Olson said, adding that authorities suspect additional victims have yet to come forward and urged anyone with information to contact the Portland FBI.
Prior to the latest disclosures, federal prosecutors stated that Love and Chan had allegedly defrauded at least 26 women of approximately $1.3 million across California, Idaho, Washington, and Oregon. Both defendants face federal charges of wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud following their August arrests, with Love apprehended on August 24 at Boise Airport.
Methods Used in the Multistate Impersonation Scheme
According to federal court records and Yahoo News, Love targeted victims primarily through dating apps and social media, utilizing multiple aliases such as Jon Love, Jordan Love, and Avril Lyto Love. Investigators reported that the operation relied heavily on the prestige of a professional sports career, with Love displaying team gear, luxury vehicles, and staged content to project an extravagant lifestyle.
The scheme incorporated various fabricated elements to build trust, including AI-generated search results, team-issued 49ers equipment like helmets and T-shirts, and false claims about being a team receiver, reserve, or injured player. Prosecutors stated that Love convinced victims to send money for investments by using fake financial information showing high returns, while Taylor Chan, identified as an 18-year-old alleged accomplice, posed as Love’s financial adviser to reinforce the investment narrative.
Court documents describe Love as nomadic with no known legitimate source of employment, noting that the alleged fraud operation ran from around February 2022 until the August arrests. Legal representation for the defendants, including a public defender for Love and an attorney for Chan, did not immediately respond to requests for comment, and both men remain presumed innocent.
Public Reaction and Warnings From Federal Authorities
Following the arrests, text messages and videos related to the case circulated widely on social media platforms, drawing public attention and online commentary. Portland FBI special agent Douglas Olson addressed the online reaction during the Friday news conference, condemning victim-blaming as unjust and harmful.
Victim blaming is unjust and it’s harmful and it overlooks the calculated, highly manipulative lengths these individuals went to deceive and exploit others,
Olson said, as reported by The Guardian. He noted that victims were often encouraged to take out personal loans and make life-altering financial choices before being cut off without funds or closure, suffering impacts to their financial savings and sense of security.
Victims have also spoken out publicly about the emotional and personal toll of the interactions. Karma Rose, sharing details on Instagram under the handle @jaderisetwhloha, stated that Love tailored his approach to each individual and noted that physical, mental, and emotional health were affected. The ongoing investigation serves as a reminder of the importance of thorough verification regarding personal contracts, investments, and team affiliations.
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