Man pleading not guilty accused of conning women out of $1.3M

Daejon Labrayae Love pleaded not guilty Tuesday to a felony charge of conspiracy to commit wire fraud after federal prosecutors alleged he and an accomplice defrauded at least 26 women of approximately $1.3 million. Magistrate Judge Jolie A. Russo ordered Love detained as a flight risk, while a public defender representing him did not reply to a request for comment.

Federal investigators say Love posed as a player for the San Francisco 49ers to build trust with victims. His Instagram account, which featured 85,000 followers and a blue checkmark, displayed footage from football-related locations and luxury lifestyle content. Investigators confirmed with representatives of the NFL and the 49ers that Love had never been employed by either organization. The alleged scheme began in February 2022, according to federal investigators.

Love allegedly used multiple identities, including Jon Love, Daejon Love, Avril Lyto Love and Jordan Love, to approach different victims. His claimed professional background shifted between that of an NFL receiver, a real estate investor and a day trader. An alleged accomplice, Taylor Jamie Chan, posed as a financial advisor who managed Love's fortune. Together, they allegedly used fake bank and investment accounts showing enormous balances and staged FaceTime calls displaying fabricated investment gains.

Domonique DuBose, who spoke on The CyberGuy Report podcast, said she met Love on Hinge and recognized warning signs early on. She noted that his profile described him as an NFL receiver, but his rapid desire to move the conversation off the platform raised suspicion. DuBose checked the official NFL roster and practice squad lists, finding no record of Love. She also noted that nearly every photo on his social media featured 49ers clothing, which she found unusual for a professional athlete.

Some victims reported taking out personal loans after Love promised quick repayment. While some women said they received early investment returns that encouraged further deposits, federal investigators state that none of the victims they interviewed reported receiving actual returns after sending money. Prosecutors allege that when women ran out of money or asked too many questions, Love cut off contact.

The FBI reported on Sept. 18 that 35 additional women had come forward claiming they were defrauded. Investigators are currently working to verify those allegations. If confirmed, the number of identified victims would rise from 26 to 61. The FBI has encouraged potential victims to come forward, noting that additional reports may help investigators understand the full scope of the alleged scheme.

DuBose said some women described relationships lasting up to 13 years, timelines that extend beyond the start of the documented financial scheme. She expressed frustration over how easily false identities can be constructed on dating apps, noting that verification features do not establish the truth of claimed careers or wealth. The FBI requests tips regarding Daejon Love and Taylor Chan through tips.fbi.gov or 1-800-CALL-FBI.