A woman who claims to be a victim in the federal fraud case against
The allegations center on a sophisticated scheme where Love, alongside an alleged partner named Taylor Chan, reportedly defrauded more than two dozen women out of approximately $1.3 million. According to the FBI, Love utilized dating apps to cultivate relationships, often presenting himself as a wealthy 49ers player or a successful real estate investor to solicit funds from his victims.
Timeline of Reported Warnings and FBI Investigation
Herndon, a 24-year-old real estate agent, stated she sent a message to the organization on December 20, 2025, explicitly naming Love and detailing his alleged impersonation of a team member. In her correspondence, she warned that the individual was damaging the franchise's reputation and stealing money from women, urging the team to take proactive steps to denounce his involvement. She received a response from a general guest services account on December 27, 2025, which stated that the team takes such reports seriously but could not comment on specific individuals or ongoing investigations for legal reasons.
The 49ers have maintained that they were not aware of the reports regarding Love until they were contacted by the FBI in August. When asked about the email exchange, a team spokesperson declined to confirm its existence or provide further comment, citing the ongoing federal investigation. However, the Portland FBI office has publicly praised the organization for its cooperation, with special agent in charge Doug Olson noting that the team was helpful in confirming that Love had never been employed by the franchise or the NFL.
Scope of the Alleged Fraudulent Scheme
The FBI’s investigation into the matter began in September 2024. Following the arrests of Love and Chan on August 24, federal authorities revealed that the scope of the operation may be even larger than initially anticipated. Agent Olson confirmed that the agency has identified 35 additional potential victims since the initial arrests were made. At the time of his apprehension in Boise, Idaho, Love was reportedly wearing 49ers apparel and was allegedly in the process of targeting further victims.
Herndon’s efforts to expose the scheme extended beyond her communication with the team. She filed a small claims civil lawsuit in Oregon in March 2025, alleging she lost $10,000 to an investment pitch made by Love. She also established a social media group to warn others and took out advertisements in a local publication to serve legal notice. While she expressed frustration that her initial warning to the team did not lead to a public statement, she noted that she felt the organization itself was also a victim of the impersonation.
