The week began with the arrest of the 49ers’ owner posing as a man named “Joe.” It’s ending with the arrest of a man posing as a 49er.
Via Nick Wagoner of ESPN, federal authorities have arrested two men in connection with a fraudulent scheme that entailed one of them repeatedly posing as a 49ers player. The men allegedly defrauded 26 women out of roughly $1.3 million.
Daejon Love, 35, and Taylor Jamie Chan, 18, have been charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud in Idaho.
It allegedly started in 2022, with Love meeting multiple women on dating apps. He repeatedly told them he was a member of the 49ers or a wealthy real-estate investor. He used the names Jon Love, Avril Lyto Love and Jordan Love.
Chan posed as Love’s financial advisor.
From the U.S. attorney’s office in Boise: “Love convinced many of the victims they were in sincere romantic relationships with Love, that he was a sophisticated investor, and that Chan was his investment adviser who helped Love grow a fortune worth tens of millions of dollars. Love had romantic relationships with many of the victims and told them he wanted to build wealth and a future together. Love advertised nonexistent investment vehicles and claimed these investments would generate massive returns for both him and his victims.”
Some of the victims loaned Love significant amounts of money. Some took out personal loans to pay Love.
When the women ran out of money or started asking too many questions, Love blocked communications with them.
The FBI believes there are “many more victims” than the 26 who have been identified.