Cops: Romance Scammer Posed as NFL Player

Prosecutors say a dating-app scammer backed up his lies with a bogus NFL resume. Federal authorities in Oregon allege 35-year-old Daejon Love posed as a San Francisco 49ers player to dupe women in four Western states into sham investments, reports NBC News. Love, who used pseudonyms including Jon Love and Jordan Love, alternatively posed as a high-rolling real estate investor. Authorities say Love and an 18-year-old accomplice, Taylor Chan, made about $1.3 million from at least 26 different women in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and California before they were arrested last week.

"Love had romantic relationships with many of the victims and told them he wanted to build wealth and a future together," says a statement from the US Attorney's Office, per ESPN. Chan allegedly posed as his investment adviser in the ruse. Starting in early 2022, the pair allegedly used doctored account images, messages, and video calls to sell phony opportunities and claim huge paper gains, then urged victims to borrow more when cash ran out. Both men were arrested in Boise and charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud. The FBI is seeking additional victims.