Man Accused of NFL Impersonation Scam Pleads Not Guilty in Oregon Court

a generic smartphone resting on a wooden desk alongside a pair of luxury sunglasses and a closed manila legal folder, symbolizing a digital fraud investigation,

AI-generated illustration; not a photograph of the reported event.

  • calendar_today October 14, 2026

Alleged NFL Impersonation Scam Defendant Arraigned in Portland

Daejon Labrayae Delenar Love, 35, faced a judge in the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon on October 13, 2026, pleading not guilty to federal charges connected to an alleged NFL impersonation scam. Love is accused of fraudulently posing as a player for the San Francisco 49ers as part of a scheme to defraud women in several states.

Details of the Alleged Fraudulent Scheme

According to investigators, Love claimed to be wealthy—and, at times, a player for the San Francisco 49ers—using his social media accounts to create an illusion of financial success. Authorities allege that he, along with his alleged accomplice Taylor Chan, 18, persuaded women to trust him by developing romantic relationships and maintaining an affluent persona online.

Investment and Romantic Scam Claims Across Multiple States

Officials report that Love and Chan targeted women in Oregon, Idaho, Nevada, Utah, and New Mexico. The pair is accused of convincing these women to invest in a supposed high-yield opportunity, which authorities now say was fraudulent. The women allegedly sent cash or wired funds to Love based on his deceptive assurances and fabricated lifestyle.

Indictment Leads to More Alleged Victims Coming Forward

Following the announcement of Love’s indictment, dozens of women reportedly contacted authorities to accuse Love and Chan of similar scams. The alleged victims claim to have been defrauded after being convinced that their investment was legitimate thanks to Love's false persona and promises.

Prosecution and Courtroom Developments

In court, Love entered a plea of not guilty and was ordered to remain in custody pending further proceedings. Court documents revealed that Love has not held a job since 2022 and currently has no known address. When questioned about Love’s financial sources via text, Chan allegedly responded, “scamming those h–s.”

Nature of the Alleged Social Media Fraud

Authorities allege that the funds collected from victims were used by Love for personal expenses, including travel, luxury cars, lodging, clothing, jewelry, and other high-end items. Investigations are ongoing as law enforcement gathers information from victims and builds the case against the defendants in what is described as a sophisticated scam leveraging romance, social media, and claims of NFL affiliation.

Source: koin.com.