Man Pretending to Be 49ers Player Orchestrated $1.3 Million Romance and Investment Fraud Scheme

Fraudsters are increasingly resorting to elaborate deceptions to swindle victims, with some even impersonating professional athletes to gain trust and financial control.

Daejun Labrayae Love, 35, is accused of defrauding 26 women of over $1.3 million through a sophisticated blend of romance and investment fraud, according to NBC Bay Area.

Love allegedly connected with victims through social media platforms, presenting himself as either a current player for the San Francisco 49ers or a wealthy real estate investor enjoying a luxurious lifestyle. Over time, he cultivated intimate relationships with his targets, eventually proposing joint investment ventures that promised substantial returns.

Working alongside an alleged accomplice, Taylor Jamie Chan, 18, Love reportedly constructed fabricated investment opportunities designed to entice victims across Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and California. Victims were encouraged to contribute funds directly or secure personal loans to participate in these schemes.

Chan’s role allegedly involved posing as Love’s investment advisor, sending messages that praised specific opportunities. Love would then relay these communications to his victims, reinforcing the legitimacy of the fraudulent proposals. Once victims exhausted their available resources or began asking probing questions, they were cut off and blocked by the perpetrators.

Both suspects were recently detained in Boise, Idaho, facing charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud, as confirmed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon.

Romance Scams Exploit Emotional Bonds for Financial Gain

The case exemplifies a growing trend known as the “pig butchering” scam, in which perpetrators slowly build emotional connections with victims before steering them toward fake investment opportunities. The phrase draws from livestock practices, symbolizing how criminals nurture relationships before exploiting them financially.

Data from the FBI’s most recent Internet Crime Report reveals that more than 23,000 romance scam complaints were filed in 2025, resulting in losses exceeding $929 million. Investment-related fraud contributed to a staggering $8.6 billion in total losses nationwide during the same period.

While many romance scams involve investment angles, others follow traditional methods—criminals may request urgent financial assistance, citing emergencies or hardships such as medical bills or travel complications. These schemes frequently target individuals who have never met their online counterparts in person.

Collectively, Americans suffered $20.8 billion in losses due to various forms of fraud in 2025.

Red Flags That Can Help Identify Romance Scams

Recognizing manipulation tactics used by scammers is crucial for protecting oneself and others from falling victim to financial exploitation.

Be wary if a new romantic interest requests money under any circumstances, particularly for medical emergencies or travel issues. Similarly, unsolicited offers promoting high-return investments should raise suspicion—especially when accompanied by pressure to act quickly.

It’s advisable to limit interactions with unknown contacts on social media and remain cautious about sharing personal details online, as cybercriminals often research potential targets using publicly available information.

Victims of romance or investment scams should file reports immediately with the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), and local law enforcement. Additionally, contacting one’s bank promptly can help prevent further unauthorized transactions.

For those who disclosed sensitive data—including Social Security numbers or full names—it is strongly recommended to place a credit freeze with all three major bureaus—Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion—to safeguard against identity theft and fraudulent account openings.

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