Agents with the FBI say they've identified 35 additional women as alleged victims in their ongoing fraud case against a man who impersonated a San Francisco 49ers player. That would bring the total number to over 60 victims. Suspects Daejon Love and Taylor Chan were arrested in Idaho last month.
Portland FBI Special Agent in Charge Doug Olson admitted the volume of victims Love is accused of defrauding was unusual during a news conference covered by ABC7.
"We were surprised how many people were victimized in such a short period of time and then to have that many more come forward," Olson said. "It's a large volume for just a couple of subjects. Our concern is that this fraud could be replicated by other individuals that are out there victimizing other people in similar schemes."
As SFist reported last month, the criminal complaint against Love, 35, alleges that he used social media sites and dating apps to build fictitious identities — including that of a star wide receiver for the 49ers — for the purpose of getting victims to send him money. Chan, 18, is accused of assisting Love in the scheme and occasionally posing as his financial adviser.
In total, Love and Chan are alleged to have swindled $1.3 million through the fraud. They now face charges of wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud after both men were arrested late last month at an Idaho airport.
The FBI's investigation into Love and Chan dates all the way back to 2022, per ABC7. According to Olson, their tactics allegedly included "blended fake personas, fabricated investment accounts, staged video calls, and AI-reinforced false identities."
Even with a pool of more than 60 victims now potentially tied to the case, Olson suggested that there are likely even more people affected who have yet to share their stories.
"We don't want anyone to be fearful of coming forward," Olson added, "because we want to help them and we want to make sure that this doesn't happen to anybody else."
Meanwhile, the actual San Francisco 49ers will face the Miami Dolphins for their home opener at Levi's Stadium with kickoff set for 1:25 pm today.
Related: Man Accused of Posing as Wealthy 49ers Player to Lure Women Into $1.3 Million Scam
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