Federal authorities have taken two men into custody following an extensive investigation into a sophisticated fraud scheme that allegedly targeted more than two dozen women.
According to the U.S. Attorney's office in the District of Oregon, the pair is accused of orchestrating a long-running operation that defrauded victims of approximately $1.3 million. The scheme, which reportedly began in February 2022, relied on the creation of fictitious personas to gain the trust of women across California, Idaho, Washington, and Oregon.
Details of the Fraudulent Scheme
Investigators allege that Love utilized various dating apps and social media platforms to establish romantic connections with victims. To facilitate the deception, he frequently presented himself as a member of the San Francisco 49ers or a successful real estate investor. Court documents reveal that Love operated under several pseudonyms, including Jon Love, Avril Lyto Love, and Jordan Love.
The operation involved a coordinated effort where Chan acted as a financial adviser to Love. The pair allegedly convinced victims that they were in genuine romantic relationships and that their investments would yield significant financial returns. To maintain the facade, Love reportedly used mobile applications to generate fake bank and investment account balances, which he shared with victims to demonstrate his supposed wealth.
Financial Impact and Arrest
The fraudulent activity extended to the solicitation of loans, with Love allegedly pressuring victims to take out personal loans when they lacked liquid assets. Once victims exhausted their funds or began questioning the legitimacy of the investments, Love would reportedly terminate all communication. None of the identified victims received the promised returns or repayments.
While the FBI has confirmed 26 victims to date, authorities believe the actual number of individuals affected may be significantly higher. Following the issuance of arrest warrants on August 17, law enforcement apprehended both men at the Boise airport after Chan traveled from California to meet Love. The defendants remain in federal custody as the legal proceedings continue.
