Two persons have been charged in the United States over an alleged investment fraud scheme in which a man reportedly posed as a San Francisco 49ers player and allegedly defrauded 26 women of about $1.3 million.
Federal prosecutors in Portland, Oregon, charged Daejon Labrayae Love, 35, and Taylor Jamie Chan, 18, with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) arrested the suspects at Boise Airport in Idaho on Aug. 24 after authorities alleged that they had travelled to the area to meet potential new victims.
According to federal authorities, the alleged scheme began in February 2022 and targeted women in Oregon, Washington, Idaho and California with fraudulent investment opportunities.
Prosecutors alleged that Love met some of the women online and through dating applications, presenting himself as a wealthy investor and a player for the San Francisco 49ers, an American football team.
He allegedly introduced the victims to Chan, whom he described as his financial adviser, to give the purported investment operation an appearance of legitimacy.
Authorities said several of the women became romantically involved with Love after he allegedly promised to build a future with them using proceeds from their investments.
According to the indictment, Love allegedly promoted non-existent investment opportunities while promising substantial returns.
Prosecutors alleged that the suspects used fake bank accounts and other means to make the purported investments appear legitimate.
Chan allegedly posed as Love’s investment adviser and sent him messages about purportedly profitable investment opportunities.
Love allegedly forwarded screenshots of the messages to victims to persuade them to invest large sums of money.
After receiving the funds, the suspects allegedly disappeared with the money, prosecutors said.
The indictment further alleged that Love’s social media accounts featured photographs of him wearing San Francisco 49ers clothing and football equipment.
Some of the images were reportedly taken at gyms, parking lots and on beaches.
The charges are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty by a court.
