09/10/26
Our takeaways from that viral fake NFL scam story
It’s time to talk about that viral scam story. While fraud is a topic we’re always talking about with our customers – both in person and in this space – it’s not often that everyone else is discussing it, too!
That’s exactly what’s happening with the fake San Francisco 49ers player and alleged scammer Daejon Love. While this isn’t exactly the kind of fraud story we usually highlight, it does have a real estate angle. Love also posed as a wealthy real estate investor to convince women in California, Idaho, Oregon and Washington to send him money. Authorities claim Love got at least 26 victims to send him a total of $1.3 million for “investment” endeavors.
Why did Love’s story go viral? Well, because on the surface, it sounds like a ridiculous premise. It’s easy to Google an NFL roster and find out that the name Daejon Love has never appeared on one. This story offers a few important lessons, too.
First, you can’t be sure someone is who they say they are unless it’s verified. Keep that in mind if you receive an unsolicited email or phone call during your closing process. It’s also a good lesson for our real estate agent partners who continue to combat seller impersonation fraud regularly. And while plenty of people had jokes – including multiple sports teams – it’s also a solid reminder that fraud, especially for those of us in real estate, is never a laughing matter.
What else can we take from the case? These criminals – whether local or overseas – will do whatever it takes to get people to fall for their latest scheme. In fact, Love had an alleged co-conspirator who prosecutors say posed as a financial adviser and helped back up his lavish claims, according to investigators. It’s a reminder that due diligence matters everywhere: in love, shopping, banking and especially when buying or selling real estate, where the stakes are often much higher.
While this story will fizzle out, scammers will always be out there. Ask your local AmeriTitle branch how our teams work to keep your money more secure. And remember: if something seems off, it probably is.