OutKick obtained a video in late 2024 that appears to show Daejon Labrayae Love signing what he represented to be an NFL contract.
When the cameraman asks Love who he is signing with, Love responds, “Niners, you already know, Niner gang.”
According to an FBI affidavit, investigators allege Daejon Love used football-related imagery to support claims that he was a 49ers player, while representatives of the team and NFL said he had never been employed by either organization. (FBI via court documents)
OutKick did not publish a story at the time because we could not independently verify Love’s claimed NFL affiliation and had no evidence that he had sought or received money from women.
The material suggested Love was using a purported 49ers affiliation to impress women but didn’t indicate an investment scheme.
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Now, newly unsealed federal court records provide a far different account.
An FBI affidavit says Love filmed himself “supposedly signing an employment contract with the 49ers” while claiming he would be a wide receiver for the team. The video obtained by OutKick appears to match the affidavit’s description.
Representatives for the NFL and 49ers told investigators Love had never been employed by the team or the league, according to the affidavit.
On Aug. 25, 2026, the Justice Department announced that Love, 35, and Taylor Jamie Chan, 18, were charged in Portland, Oregon, with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud.
Federal authorities allege Love and Chan used a false 49ers persona, a lavish lifestyle, fictitious investment accounts and romantic relationships to defraud 26 women in Oregon, Washington, Idaho and California out of about $1.3 million.
FBI details Love’s alleged 49ers persona
The affidavit says Love allegedly portrayed himself to women as an NFL player for the 49ers or a wealthy Swiss real estate developer. Chan allegedly posed as Love’s financial advisor, joining three-way FaceTime calls with women and displaying purported investment gains.
Investigators said Love posted misleading photographs, videos and statements online to support the 49ers claim.
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The FBI also said Love posted screen-recorded videos that appeared to show legitimate NFL players, with the original posters’ information removed. According to the affidavit, Love then presented the videos as his own to convince women he played for the 49ers.
An FBI affidavit details how Daejon Labrayae Love allegedly used a fake 49ers persona, custom helmets and prop money to defraud 26 women of $1.3M. (Getty Images)
Agents identified three videos from Love’s iCloud accounts that had been shared roughly 185 times, including with numerous alleged victims. Two showed Love wearing a 49ers jacket, according to the affidavit.
In one video, Love allegedly said San Francisco “offered me the most money,” claimed he had received a signing bonus and said he attended team meetings and workouts.
The affidavit says Love also claimed friendships with current and former NFL players Tyreek Hill, Antonio Brown and John Brown, and used those purported relationships to explain how he received tryout invitations.
Investigators said Love’s financial records showed no identifiable legitimate income and no direct deposits or payroll checks from the 49ers or another legitimate employer.
Custom helmets, prop money and fake account balances
Court records also describe how investigators say Love built his image online and in person.
The FBI said Love spent more than $1,160 at Green Gridiron, a website that sells custom football helmets. Investigators also found purchases from Prop Money Inc., which sells realistic fake cash for movies, and from companies that sell social media followers, likes and views.
Love posted photos in 49ers apparel and was photographed with a 49ers helmet. He also had a 49ers-themed “LOVE 1” cake.
The affidavit alleges Love used phone applications to create fake bank and investment account balances that he then showed women as proof of his wealth and investment success.
In January 2024, according to the affidavit, Love asked Chan to make a screenshot showing a $3.4 million account balance. The following month, investigators say Love asked Chan to create a stock account appearing to be worth $11 million.
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The government alleges Chan helped give the alleged scheme credibility by posing as Love’s financial advisor. Chan allegedly exchanged messages with Love about fictitious investment opportunities, then joined FaceTime calls in which women were shown false investment gains.
Love and Chan were arrested together at Boise Airport on Aug. 24, 2026, according to the Justice Department.
Government seeks Love’s detention pending transfer to Oregon
The complaint lists an alleged offense window of February 2022 through March 2026, while the Justice Department said the alleged scheme continued until the Aug. 24 arrests.
The affidavit identifies Chan as 18 but does not list his date of birth. Under the government’s timeline, Chan would have been 13 or 14 when the alleged scheme began. In the affidavit’s first detailed account from February 2022, Love allegedly told a woman within days of meeting her on a dating app to invest $10,000 with Chan.
A man allegedly posed as a San Francisco 49ers player to defraud 26 women of $1.3 million, according to federal wire fraud conspiracy charges announced by the Justice Department. (Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports)
In a separate Idaho filing, prosecutors asked a judge to detain Love pending his transfer to Oregon. The government alleged Love was wearing 49ers apparel when he was arrested and that agents later found $3,000 in cash and 49ers gear, including a helmet, in an Airbnb associated with him.
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As of publication, OutKick could not immediately verify whether detention or transfer rulings had been entered following their scheduled initial appearances.
Prosecutors also said in their Idaho detention motion that Love was in Boise while actively trying to defraud three additional Idaho victims.
The San Francisco 49ers and Love’s attorney did not respond to requests for comment before publication.
Love and Chan are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
