Men are larp-ing as NFL players to score dates and cash—one made $1.3 million before the FBI arrested him

Larping, or Live Action Roleplay, is an age-old practice that has become more prevalent with the advent of social media and the internet. This phenomenon has been popularized by Hollywood, most notably in Leonardo DiCaprio's portrayal of con man Frank Abagnale Jr. in the 2002 film, "Catch me if you can." However, its modern application has taken a sinister turn.

According to federal investigators, some men have been leveraging their fabricated NFL player identities to manipulate women into romantic relationships and business ventures. Daejon Labrayae Love is one such individual who allegedly made $1.3 million before being arrested by the FBI. Love posed as an NFL player and a wealthy real-estate investor, using dating apps to meet women, and eventually employing them in non-existent investments.

Federal prosecutors have charged Love and 18-year-old Taylor Jamie Chan with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud. Love had romantic relationships with many of the victims, convincing them he was a sophisticated investor and wanted to build wealth together. The scheme reportedly began in February 2022 when Love met his victims on dating apps, posing as a 49ers player or a wealthy Swiss real-estate investor.

He cultivated the appearance of wealth through social media and in-person interactions, even filming himself with an NFL contract. Love allegedly introduced the investment component, using Chan as his financial adviser to make the supposed investments appear legitimate. The pair used phone applications to create fake bank and investment accounts, and conducted three-way calls to encourage women to invest in non-existent ventures.

The alleged $1.3 million haul comes from 26 identified victims, although the FBI believes there may be additional victims.