The Federal Bureau of Investigation has significantly expanded its probe into a sophisticated fraud operation, identifying 35 additional women who allege they were defrauded by
The investigation, which officially opened on September 30, 2024, follows the arrests of 35-year-old Love and 18-year-old Chan at the Boise, Idaho, airport on August 24, 2026. Both men currently face federal charges of conspiracy to commit
Details of the Sophisticated Fraud Scheme
Portland FBI Special Agent in Charge Doug Olson revealed that the agency is currently working to verify the claims of the 35 newly identified victims. Olson expressed concern regarding the scale of the operation, noting that the volume of victims targeted in such a compressed timeframe is highly unusual. The FBI believes there may be even more individuals who have been victimized by the duo and has urged the public to come forward without fear of embarrassment.
According to the criminal complaint, the scheme relied on a variety of fabricated personas, including a wealthy Swiss real estate investor and a professional athlete. Love reportedly used social media and dating applications to cultivate trust, while Chan often acted as a financial adviser to validate the fraudulent investment opportunities. The operation utilized a combination of staged video calls, fake investment accounts, and AI-reinforced identities to manipulate victims.
The Role of the 49ers Persona
The impersonation of a San Francisco 49ers player served as a central pillar of the fraud, intended to establish credibility regarding Love’s alleged wealth and income. Olson explained that Love would tailor his persona to specific victims, sometimes claiming to be an active player, a former athlete, or a player currently on injured reserve. To bolster these claims, Love allegedly manipulated media search results to ensure his fake profiles appeared prominently when victims searched for his name.
The San Francisco 49ers organization has cooperated fully with federal authorities throughout the investigation. A team source confirmed that the club had no prior knowledge of Love and had received no reports regarding his activities until they were contacted by the FBI in August 2026. The team assisted investigators in confirming that Love had never been an employee, player, or associated with the NFL in any capacity. The FBI continues to investigate the case, warning that such schemes could be replicated by other bad actors and encouraging potential victims to contact the Portland field office.
