Federal Prosecutors Charge California Man in $1.3 Million Impersonation Fraud Scheme

Industry Pulse News Desk · 2026-08-30

A California man faces federal charges for allegedly impersonating a professional football player to defraud 26 women through fake investment schemes.

SAN FRANCISCO — Federal prosecutors have charged a California man with defrauding more than two dozen women out of approximately $1.3 million over a four-year period by posing as a professional football player, according to court documents unsealed in federal court.

Daejon Love, 35, allegedly utilized online dating applications and fabricated a professional athletic career with the San Francisco 49ers to establish romantic relationships with his targets. Authorities allege that Love used these connections to gain the victims' trust before soliciting funds for fraudulent business ventures and financial investments.

According to the indictment, Love targeted at least 26 women between 2020 and 2024. Prosecutors allege that he convinced the victims to transfer funds directly into bank accounts under his control under the pretense that the money would yield high investment returns. Instead, investigators claim he used the funds for personal luxury expenses and to sustain his impersonation.

The alleged fraud unraveled after several victims reported missing funds and inconsistent financial statements to law enforcement authorities. Several individuals targeted in the scheme reported losing tens of thousands of dollars each to the suspect during the multi-year operation.

Love faces multiple federal counts of wire fraud and money laundering. Each wire fraud charge carries a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in federal prison. The case remains under active prosecution by federal authorities.