A man claiming to play for the San Francisco 49ers appeared to have the lifestyle to match his story. His social media profiles featured football imagery, luxury cars and displays of wealth, while his dating app conversations offered the promise of a relationship and a shared financial future.
But federal investigators say the identity was fabricated, and the investment opportunities presented to women were not genuine.
Daejon Labrayae Delenar Love, 35, has been indicted in the US over an alleged wire fraud conspiracy involving approximately $1.3 million (£970,000) from 26 women, according to the Department of Justice. Prosecutors allege that Love and an alleged accomplice used dating relationships and invented financial credentials to persuade women to hand over money.
The case has also attracted attention because online search results and artificial intelligence tools sometimes reinforced the false impression that Love was a legitimate 49ers player. Love has pleaded not guilty and is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
How The Fake 49ers Identity and Investment Claims Allegedly Worked
The FBI's affidavit describes a carefully constructed online persona. Love allegedly presented himself to some women as a professional football player and to others as a wealthy Swiss real estate developer. He used several names, including Jon Love, Avril Lyto Love and Jordan Love, according to investigators.
His social media presence reportedly included photographs and videos featuring San Francisco 49ers clothing, football equipment and footage of other players. Investigators said representatives of the NFL and the 49ers confirmed that Love had never been employed by either organisation.
The FBI also alleged that he used applications to create fictitious bank and investment balances. In one example, he allegedly showed a woman an account displaying more than $30 million (£22.4 million).
Prosecutors allege that Love introduced Taylor Jamie Chan, 18, as his financial adviser. Chan allegedly exchanged messages with Love about supposed investment opportunities and joined video calls in which purported investment gains were displayed. Investigators said the arrangement was intended to lend credibility to the investment claims.
The affidavit further alleges that some women were encouraged to take out personal loans to fund investments after being reassured that the money could be repaid quickly. Investigators said none of the victims they identified and interviewed reported receiving investment returns or account information after sending money.
Domonique DuBose, who described her experience with Love on The CyberGuy Report podcast, said she became suspicious after matching with him on Hinge. She questioned the speed of his attempts to obtain her personal number and the volume of videos and voice messages he sent.
She also checked his claimed football history and consulted a friend with experience playing for the 49ers.
DuBose said she avoided losing money by investigating rather than accepting the profile at face value. Her account offers a practical reminder that an impressive online presence is not proof of someone's occupation, wealth or intentions.
FBI Investigation Expands as More Women Report Alleged Fraud
Love and Chan were arrested at Boise Airport in Idaho on 24 August 2026. Fox News reported on 18 September that 35 additional women had come forward with allegations. Investigators were still working to verify those reports, so the additional claims should not be treated as confirmed victims.
On 14 October, the Department of Justice announced that a federal grand jury had indicted Love on a charge of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. He pleaded not guilty and was ordered detained pending trial, which is scheduled to begin on 15 December 2026.
The indictment alleges that money obtained through the scheme was used for personal expenses, including travel, accommodation, vehicles, clothing and jewellery.
The case raises questions about how dating platforms and social networks can be used to establish trust before a financial request is made. Identity verification may help confirm who controls an account, but it does not necessarily prove that a person's job, wealth or investment claims are accurate.
Anyone meeting a potential partner online should be cautious if they are pressured to move quickly, send money or invest in an opportunity promising unusually high returns. Independent checks through official team rosters, professional records and regulated financial sources can help expose inconsistencies.
Requests to borrow money for an investment deserve particular scrutiny, especially when the person offering the opportunity is someone known only through an online relationship.
The allegations remain to be tested in court. Love is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty
