The latest story sweeping the internet involves an all-too-familiar predicament in the internet age: romance scams.
A week ago, Daejon Love, 35, was exposed as a fake San Francisco 49ers player accused of defrauding at least 26 women across California, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington out of more than $1.3 million.
Love allegedly scammed women by posing as a 49ers wide receiver and Swiss real estate investor on dating apps, tricking them into believing his investment opportunities were legitimate. To sell the scam, Taylor Jamie Chan, 18, allegedly aided Love by posing as his financial adviser to make investments.
Authorities arrested Chan and Love on Aug. 24 at the Boise Airport in Idaho.
Love convinced victims they were in real romantic relationships with him. As the story broke, Ayana Velasquez said to CBS News she previously dated Love. Introducing himself to her as “Jonathan”, in 2021, Velasquez says Love boasted about his family’s wealth, claiming they were one of the richest families in Switzerland and owned property in the United States.
Velasquez and Love lost touch until 2024, when Love reached out to her and claimed to be part of the NFL. While she never sent Love any money herself, Velasquez said she understands how these women fell for the scam but acknowledged that if they had looked up the NFL roster, they would’ve seen he wasn’t there.
Online, the story has sparked conversation about romance scams and empathy for victims. , pointing out how romance scammers often target those who may be vulnerable or easily manipulated.
While romance scams are common and can be convincing, some are struggling to feel sorry. The bizarre story has become something of a meme on social media, with people referring to Love as a “wide deceiver” and X users such as College Football Zone joking, “Sources confirm that former San Francisco 49ers WR Daejon Love will be transferring to LSU.”
Rapper Nelly even got in on the joke, thanking Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys organization for “allowing me and my wife to be part of such an historic franchise,” on Instagram. But most notably, 49ers wide receivers coach Leonard Hankerson posted an AI image on Instagram showing himself coaching Love during practice.
Love currently faces wire fraud and conspiracy charges. Because Love used several identities and has no known permanent residence, he poses a serious flight risk according to prosecutors. Information on Love’s pending court appearance remains unknown.
This isn’t the last we’ll hear about these alleged schemes. Uras Agee IV is also alleged to have posed as a fake Dallas Cowboys player. Listed on the 2017 roster for the Division II program at Shorter University, Agee allegedly faked an NFL career that included work with the Cowboys, Buccaneers, and Steelers, even claiming to be a Super Bowl LV winner. It’s unknown how much, if any, money Agee made off of this scheme and he has yet to face charges.
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