Pretending to be an NFL star might sound like a terrible idea. Apparently, someone decided it was worth a shot anyway.
Daejon Love, accused of posing as a San Francisco 49ers player in a romance scam case, has pleaded not guilty to the charges against him.
Apparently, being yourself was not enough. Why not borrow the identity of a professional football player and add a little fake celebrity magic to the dating game?
Love’s case has attracted attention because it combines online romance, alleged deception, and the glamorous world of the NFL. Unfortunately, this is not a romantic comedy where the fake football player eventually finds true love and everyone lives happily ever after.
This one is playing out in court.
Love was arraigned, pleaded not guilty and was ordered held in jail pending a jury trial set to start Dec. 15, 2026.
Federal investigators say the scheme involved at least 26 women in Oregon, Washington, California and Idaho, totaling more than $1 million. The FBI arrested Love last week.
Court records also name 18-year-old Taylor Chan as an alleged accomplice. Both are charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud.
One Oregon City woman who told FOX 12 she met Love on Bumble in June 2024 described a brief date where he used the name John Prince and said he was a Swiss real estate developer.
“He said ‘I’m very intentional and efficient when it comes to dating,’” Rachel Anderson told FOX 12 in August. “Within five minutes I knew I wasn’t going to see him again.”
Anderson said Love talked about having $5 million in an account and a $3 million home in Vancouver, and claimed close friendships with celebrities and NFL players.
Romance scams often begin innocently. Someone sends a message, conversations become frequent, and feelings start to develop. Before long, the relationship may feel genuine. Then comes the catch.
“When I saw that, I almost fell out of bed, I could not believe it,” Anderson said after learning of the arrest. “It’s just awful, I can’t imagine how those women feel.”
If convicted, Love faces up to 20 years in federal prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. He would also have to give up any property bought with money from the scheme.
Love’s not-guilty plea leaves the case to the courts. The football connection may grab headlines, but the bigger issue is the danger of trusting an online identity without checking the facts.
