Daejon Love Victim Claims She Told 49ers About Fake Player’s Scheme Several Months Before FBI Bust
This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.
Daejon Love faces serious federal charges after authorities say he posed as a San Francisco 49ers player. He allegedly targeted women on dating apps and convinced them to hand over money for fake investments.
Prosecutors claim Love and an accomplice took about $1.3 million from at least 26 women across four states. The FBI has since identified dozens more potential victims, and the case continues to grow. Thirty-five new victims reportedly stepped forward earlier this month, adding more to the already complex situation.
Victim Claims Early Warning To 49ers
Gwen Herndon says she submitted a complaint to the team in December 2025. She named Daejon Love and described a federal probe into a man pretending to be a 49ers player. She also wrote that he was damaging the franchise’s reputation and asked the team to act.
Herndon received a reply one week later from a Levi’s Stadium guest services account. The message said the team takes impersonation reports seriously and encouraged her to contact law enforcement. It added that internal staff would monitor such issues.
Herndon later told ESPN she wanted the organization to denounce Love publicly and protect other women. A 49ers source had previously said the team learned of Love only when the FBI reached out in August. The club has declined further comment on the emails while the investigation remains open.
How The Alleged Scheme Unfolded
Authorities say Love began the operation in February 2022. He met most victims through apps and built romantic connections. His alleged partner, Taylor Chan, posed as a financial adviser and joined three-way calls that displayed fabricated investment gains.
Love posted photos in team gear, staged training footage and used multiple aliases. Once victims ran out of money or asked hard questions, he blocked them and kept the funds. Federal agents arrested both men on August 24 at Boise Airport. Love remains in custody while Chan is free pending trial.
The FBI has confirmed the 49ers and NFL cooperated fully and verified Love never played for either organization. Special Agent Doug Olson noted the team’s helpful role during the probe.
Herndon had already sued Love in small-claims court over a $10,000 investment claim and created a Facebook group for other possible victims. She contacted the FBI early in 2025 yet still felt compelled to alert the franchise months later.
The story first gained wider attention when coverage detailed the beach training clips and elaborate props that helped sell the illusion. Further details also surfaced around Love’s elaborate excuses to keep victims engaged.
Love and Chan each face wire fraud and conspiracy counts that carry significant prison time if convictions follow. The investigation remains active as agents continue to verify additional claims.
