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Daejon Love, 35, and accomplice Taylor Jamie Chan, 18, were charged with wire fraud for orchestrating a romance scam that defrauded at least 61 women across multiple states out of $1.3 million between February 2022 and August 2026. Love posed as an NFL player or wealthy real estate developer on dating apps, using AI-generated fake images and manipulated search results to build trust before convincing victims to invest money or take out personal loans. The pair were arrested at a Boise, Idaho airport and will be tried in federal court in Portland, Oregon.

Ogechi Urenna Udunka of Decatur, Georgia was sentenced to 10 years in prison for her role in laundering $158,000 stolen through a Business Email Compromise (BEC) scam targeting an agricultural company. The scam occurred when criminals sent fraudulent emails impersonating an Oregon seed company, tricking the victim into wiring funds that Udunka then received and disbursed to conceal their origin. Udunka was ordered to pay full restitution and perform 200 hours of community service.

The Oregon Division of Financial Regulation warned investors about fraudsters using artificial intelligence to create sophisticated-looking investment pitches, websites, and videos, including deepfakes impersonating celebrities or trusted individuals and AI-generated romance scams. The agency urged consumers to verify investments independently, avoid pressure tactics, and remember that offers sounding too good to be true likely are scams. Suspected victims can report fraud to Oregon's Division of Financial Regulation at 1-888-877-4894 or the Federal Trade Commission.

A statewide Oregon survey of 1,828 adults found that nearly half experienced unfair or illegal treatment in the past year, with scams and fraud being the most common issues, with roughly half of fraud victims reporting being targeted via text, phone call, or email. The survey revealed significant financial vulnerability among Oregonians, with most unable to cover a $400 emergency expense, and identified food costs, housing, and utility bills as leading sources of financial stress. Approximately half of those surveyed encountered scam attempts but managed to avoid losing money or personal information.

An elderly man in Eugene, Oregon nearly lost $3,000 to an in-person romance scam after a woman about 30 years younger approached him at a restaurant, built rapport over multiple dinners, and then claimed financial hardships requiring money. The man became suspicious when his bank was closed and contacted police before completing the transaction, averting the loss. Eugene police warn that romance scammers often target older adults by posing as romantic interests, establishing quick relationships, and requesting money for fabricated emergencies.

A 35-year-old man named Daejon Love, along with an 18-year-old accomplice Taylor Chan, scammed at least 26 women across Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and California by posing as an NFL player on dating apps and creating fake investment schemes. The pair collectively stole over $1.3 million from victims, with one woman losing more than $87,000, by using fake bank accounts to show fabricated investment growth before blocking victims once they ran out of money. Love and Chan were arrested last month, and two women who saw through the deception are speaking out to encourage other victims to come forward.

Two men, Daejon Labrayae Love and Taylor Jamie Chan, were arrested in August 2026 for operating a dating scam since February 2022 that targeted women across Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and California. Love posed as an NFL player for the San Francisco 49ers on dating apps while Chan impersonated his financial adviser, defrauding 26 women and collecting approximately $1.3 million through fictitious investment schemes. Love also falsely claimed to have played college football at Syracuse University and used multiple aliases and fake videos of himself in luxury cars and 49ers gear to gain victims' trust.

Daejon Love, 35, was arrested in August for allegedly impersonating a San Francisco 49ers player and wealthy investor to romance and defraud at least 26 women across four states, netting approximately $1.3 million. Love's alleged accomplice, 18-year-old Taylor Chan, targeted victims in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and California by falsely claiming to own multimillion-dollar homes, luxury cars, and NFL connections. Federal prosecutors are seeking to keep Love detained, citing him as a flight risk due to his use of multiple aliases and lack of permanent residence.

Daejon Love, 35, and co-conspirator Taylor Jamie Chan, 18, were arrested for running a romance scam targeting over two dozen women across Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and California, defrauding them of $1.3 million. Love impersonated an NFL player and posed as a Swiss real estate developer on dating apps like Tinder and Bumble, while Chan posed as a wealth manager to convince victims to transfer funds or take out loans for fake investments. Both men face federal charges of wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud, with investigators confirming 26 victims identified so far.

Daejon Labrayae Love, 35, and Taylor Jamie Chan, 18, were charged with wire fraud for operating a romance-and-investment scam that defrauded at least 26 women of approximately $1.3 million between February 2022 and August 2024. Love posed as a San Francisco 49ers player or wealthy real estate investor on dating apps, while Chan impersonated his financial adviser to show fake investment gains; victims were blocked when they ran out of money or asked questions. Both suspects were arrested on August 24 at Boise airport, and federal authorities believe there are additional victims across California, Oregon, Washington, and Idaho.

Daejon Labrayae Love, 35, was arrested by the FBI for orchestrating a multi-state romance and investment fraud scheme targeting at least 26 women across California, Oregon, Washington, and Idaho, defrauding them of approximately $1.3 million by posing as a San Francisco 49ers wide receiver with an accomplice who posed as his financial adviser. Love and co-conspirator Taylor Jamie Chan, 18, were charged in federal court with wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud. The article also highlights a similar case involving Uras Agee IV, who fraudulently posed as an NFL safety for the Dallas Cowboys and Tampa Bay Buccaneers on social

Daejon Labrayae Love and Taylor Jamie Chan allegedly defrauded 26 women of $1.3 million through a romance and investment scam, with Love posing as an NFL player or wealthy real estate investor on social media and convincing victims to invest in fictitious opportunities. The scam, known as "pig butchering," targeted women across Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and California, with both men arrested in Boise and charged with wire fraud conspiracy.

Daejon Labrayae Love, 35, allegedly defrauded 26 women of $1.3 million by posing as a San Francisco 49ers player or wealthy real estate investor on social media, then convincing them to invest in fictitious opportunities with accomplice Taylor Jamie Chan. Love would forge romantic relationships with victims in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and California before directing them to fake investments that promised large returns, ultimately blocking them once their money ran out. Both men were arrested in Boise, Idaho and charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud.

A 35-year-old man and his 18-year-old accomplice were arrested in Idaho for allegedly posing as a San Francisco 49ers player on dating apps to defraud 26 women of approximately $1.3 million through romance scams and fake investment schemes. The perpetrators used fake identities, social media photos, and false promises of romantic relationships and investment returns to manipulate victims across California, Idaho, Washington, and Oregon, then disappeared once victims ran out of money. Authorities believe there may be additional unreported victims and continue investigating the scheme.

Daejon Love, 35, and Taylor Jamie Chan, 18, were arrested and charged with wire fraud for operating a romance scam that defrauded over 26 women out of approximately $1.3 million between February 2022 and 2026. Love posed as a San Francisco 49ers player and wealthy investor on dating apps, while Chan posed as his financial adviser, convincing victims they were in romantic relationships and encouraging them to invest in fake schemes and take out personal loans. The scheme spanned California, Idaho, Washington, and Oregon, with the FBI believing there are additional victims beyond the 26 identified.

Two men were arrested for defrauding over 26 women out of $1.3 million through a romance scam where one posed as a San Francisco 49ers player and the other as his financial advisor, using fake investment accounts and dating apps to gain victims' trust across Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and California. Daejon Love, 35, and Taylor Jamie Chan, 18, used mobile applications to create fictitious bank and investment balances, convincing victims their money was being invested while some were pressured to take out personal loans; no victims received any returns or account information. The pair were arrested in Boise on August 24 and charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud

Daejon Labrayae Love, 35, and Taylor Jamie Chan, 18, face federal charges for running a romance and investment scam that defrauded 26 women of over $1.3 million between February 2022 and their August 2026 arrest. Love posed as an undrafted San Francisco 49ers wide receiver on social media, using fake NFL credentials, luxury car photos, and manipulated Google search results to maintain the deception, while the 49ers confirmed he had no affiliation with the team. The pair operated across multiple states (Oregon, California, New Mexico, Nevada, and Utah) and were arrested at Boise Airport when authorities caught them attempting

A 35-year-old man was charged with federal crimes for impersonating a San Francisco 49ers player and allegedly defrauding 26 women out of $1.3 million through romance and investment scams over four years. The perpetrator, using aliases including Daejon Love, created a fake Instagram profile and used AI-generated content to enhance his false NFL persona, meeting victims through dating apps and convincing them to send money directly or take out personal loans. An 18-year-old accomplice posed as his financial advisor, and the FBI believes there may be additional victims beyond the 26 identified women from California, Oregon, Washington, and Idaho.

Daejon Labrayae Love, 35, and Taylor Jamie Chan, 18, were charged with wire fraud conspiracy for allegedly defrauding 26 women out of approximately $1.3 million across Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and California. Love posed as a San Francisco 49ers player using fake videos, custom helmets, and fictitious investment accounts, while Chan posed as his financial advisor to convince victims to send money. Neither Love nor Chan had legitimate NFL employment, and investigators found no identifiable income sources supporting their claimed lavish lifestyle.

Daejon Labrayae Love, 35, and Taylor Jamie Chan, 18, were arrested for a romance and investment scam where Love posed as a wealthy San Francisco 49ers player on social media while Chan posed as his financial adviser to defraud at least 26 women out of $1.3 million. The scheme, which ran from February 2022 until their arrest in Boise, Idaho, involved fake investment opportunities and fabricated bank accounts that promised massive returns; victims reported receiving no returns or investment information after sending money. Authorities believe there may be additional victims beyond those identified from Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and California.

Leonard Weston Ramey Jr., an 80-year-old fugitive wanted since 1989, is suspected of operating fraudulent investment schemes across multiple states since the 1970s, defrauding investors in Clackamas County, Oregon alone of approximately $600,000 by posing as a stockbroker and creating fake account statements before disappearing when victims requested withdrawals. Ramey, who has used at least 15 aliases and evaded capture for over five decades, was formally charged in Oregon in 2002 with racketeering, money laundering, securities fraud, and aggravated theft, and is now on the FBI's most wanted list.

Scammers are impersonating Lane County, Oregon staff and sending fraudulent emails to land use permit applicants requesting wire transfer payments to finalize permits, using specific permit numbers and county language to appear legitimate. The county warns that it never requests wire transfers, cryptocurrency, gift cards, or financial information, and advises residents to verify requests through official channels before responding. Similar scams involving building and sanitation permits have been reported in other jurisdictions.

A North Carolina woman's social media identity was stolen and used by Beverley Bejarano to conduct an online romance scam in Florida, where Bejarano allegedly extorted at least one victim out of multiple payments totaling at least $2,000 using a fake "Keisl Mary" profile. Bejarano, who was residing in Oregon, was extradited to Florida and now faces felony extortion and fraud charges for the scheme that operated between February and April 2025.

Scammers are targeting people of all ages through phone fraud schemes that pressure victims to buy Bitcoin at ATMs to pay fake "fines" or "investments," with elderly individuals being particularly vulnerable. A liquor store owner in Eugene, Oregon keeps a Bitcoin ATM on premises specifically to intercept and stop victims before they complete transactions, successfully preventing an estimated 90% of attempted fraud at their location. If you receive unexpected calls demanding immediate payment in Bitcoin or other untraceable methods, hang up immediately and contact law enforcement, as legitimate authorities never demand cryptocurrency payments.

Older adults in Oregon are being urged to watch for signs of financial exploitation, which costs seniors over $28 billion annually nationwide and affects roughly 11% of people age 60 and older. The Oregon Division of Financial Regulation warns that scams targeting seniors are becoming increasingly sophisticated, particularly those involving cryptocurrency kiosks and gift cards, and that isolated or lonely older people are especially vulnerable. People should watch for warning signs like overly protective new friends or caregivers, sudden changes in spending habits, and seniors becoming reluctant to discuss their finances.

Scammers in Bend, Oregon have been impersonating law enforcement officials and calling residents claiming they have unpaid fines or arrest warrants, then demanding payment via Bitcoin ATMs or gift cards—with victims losing thousands of dollars in recent cases. The fraudsters use untraceable internet phone numbers that sometimes spoof legitimate law enforcement numbers and often possess personal information about victims to seem credible. To protect yourself, remember that real law enforcement will never call demanding immediate payment through Bitcoin, gift cards, or wire transfers.

Oregon residents filed over 10,000 consumer complaints with the state Department of Justice last year and recovered nearly $1.6 million—a 27% increase from 2024—with fraud, imposter scams, auto industry issues, and telecom complaints being the most common problems. The state's Consumer Advocacy Complaint Program is resolving complaints faster and holding businesses accountable, though fraud and scams continue to rise across the state. If you suspect fraud or a scam, filing a complaint with the Oregon Department of Justice can help you recover money and protect other consumers.

A 23-year-old caregiver in the Portland, Oregon area has been arrested and indicted for targeting elderly people under her care, using their financial information to make unauthorized purchases and committing identity theft. The suspect, Willow Sarafina McCullough, worked at multiple locations and is accused of stealing credit cards and personal documents from vulnerable adults she was employed to care for. If you or a family member received care from this individual and suspect fraudulent activity, contact the Beaverton Police Department's Detective Sean Connor at [email protected] or 503-526-2661, as authorities believe there may be additional unreported victims.

A Republican-led congressional committee looking into potential fraud in the publicly funded health care program for lower-income people is expanding their investigation to Oregon and several other st...

# Romance Scam Summary Romance scams have become increasingly prevalent and costly, with victims reporting $12.5 billion in investment-related fraud losses in 2024—triple the amount from three years prior. Scammers typically pose as attractive, successful individuals on dating apps and social media, using fake profiles and AI-generated content to build trust before pressuring victims into fake investments or requesting money directly. To protect yourself, watch for red flags like unsolicited contact, pressure to invest quickly, promises of easy money, or any request for financial information, and verify any investment opportunities through official regulatory websites before proceeding.

# Scammers are sending fake text messages impersonating Oregon's Department of Transportation (ODOT) and DMV, claiming recipients owe unpaid traffic fines or tolls and demanding immediate payment through fraudulent links. The messages use urgent language and phony official codes to appear legitimate, but ODOT and the DMV never request payment via unsolicited texts, emails, or calls. To protect yourself, delete these messages without clicking any links, block the sender, and verify any claims by calling ODOT directly at 1-888-Ask-ODOT or DMV at 1-855-540-6655.

# Digital Literacy Effort Targets Scam Prevention for Older Adults Internet scams cost Americans a record $16.6 billion in 2024, with older adults being particularly vulnerable to fraud that can lead to financial losses and increase isolation by discouraging technology use. Two Oregon nonprofits are promoting digital literacy programs through resources like public libraries and educational comics to help seniors build confidence in using technology safely. Experts recommend verifying the origin of messages by calling senders at official numbers, never feeling pressured to act immediately, and taking time to confirm requests before sharing any personal information.

A Franklin County apartment manager was arrested this week and charged with 12 felonies after authorities discovered she voted in both Washington and Oregon and fraudulently filled out and submitted ballots for three former tenants without their knowledge or consent. The scheme was uncovered when election officials noticed an irregularity in one ballot, which prompted an investigation that revealed the suspect had also committed identity theft by signing the other voters' names. If you suspect similar voter fraud or election irregularities, contact the Franklin County Sheriff's Office at (509)-545-3501 to speak with Detective Gardner.

The Oregon Department of Justice warned of scammers impersonating lawyers to defraud victims, with two reported cases resulting in hundreds of thousands of dollars in losses. In one case, a victim met someone on the dating app Hinge who posed as an attorney offering investment services and transferred funds; in another, scammers gained unauthorized access to attorney and client email accounts to intercept a $700,000+ settlement payment using false wiring instructions. The advisory recommends verifying legal and financial communications through direct phone contact with known numbers and advises victims to report incidents to the FBI, local police, and financial regulatory agencies.

Financial fraud in Oregon resulted in an estimated $201 million in reported losses and $1.2 billion in unreported losses in 2025, with the FBI and FTC reporting significant increases in fraud cases nationwide. The state's economy faces a projected $3.9 billion reduction in GDP, $2.6 billion reduction in personal income, and approximately 15,000 job losses due to all financial fraud (reported and unreported). Oregon ranks 26th-28th among states for cyber-enabled crime losses and elder fraud complaints, with fraud cases up 3,336 since 2022 and total losses up 285% since 2020.

Oregon law enforcement agencies issued a public warning about common summer scams, including impersonators posing as police or court officials demanding payment for missed jury duty via cryptocurrency or gift cards, fraudsters claiming pets have been hit by cars to extort veterinary fees, and fake vacation rental listings offering unrealistic deals. Officials advised residents to independently verify contact information, avoid sharing personal information with unverified sources, and use only authorized vendors for ticket purchases and vacation bookings.

The Oregon Department of Justice warned residents of a rising "gold bar" scam targeting Pacific Northwest residents, in which scammers impersonating banks or government agencies convince victims their accounts are compromised and pressure them to purchase gold bars and hand them over to couriers. Recent victims in Eastern Oregon lost significant amounts—one woman lost $600,000 with an additional $300,000 in gold bars prevented by police intervention, and another lost $60,000 in a related silver bar scam. Officials emphasized that no legitimate financial institution or government agency requests customers to liquidate assets into gold and transfer them to strangers.

A text message scam targeting Pennsylvania residents falsely claims to be from the state's DMV threatening vehicle registration and driver's license suspension over unpaid traffic tickets, with messages originating from an Oregon area code and containing links to fraudulent payment pages. The scam uses non-existent Pennsylvania administrative codes and has been linked by the FBI to Chinese hacking groups, with recent reports showing messages sent to multiple recipients in group texts. Residents are advised not to click links in suspicious text messages, as the legitimate DMV does not handle traffic ticket enforcement.

An Eastern Oregon woman in her 60s lost $600,000 to scammers posing as federal agents who instructed her to purchase gold bars and transfer ownership to them for "safekeeping," though intervention by state officials prevented an additional $300,000 loss. A second woman in the region also lost $60,000 in a similar silver bar scam. Oregon Department of Justice officials warn that government agencies, banks, and tech companies never request customers buy precious metals or transfer ownership, and advise people to hang up on unsolicited callers and report suspicious activity to authorities.

An Eastern Oregon woman in her 60s lost $600,000—most of her life savings—to scammers who impersonated federal agents and instructed her to buy gold bars and transfer ownership to them for "safekeeping." Authorities intervened after her sister called the state consumer protection hotline and were able to prevent an additional $300,000 in gold bars from being handed over; a similar scam also targeted another eastern Oregon woman who lost $60,000 in silver bars. Oregon officials warn that legitimate government agencies, banks, and tech companies never ask people to purchase precious metals or transfer ownership, and urge the public to hang up on such callers and report suspicious contacts to authorities.

An Eastern Oregon woman lost $600,000 (nearly her entire life savings) to scammers impersonating federal agents who convinced her that her financial accounts were at risk and instructed her to purchase gold bars for "safekeeping." Her sister's call to the Oregon Department of Justice Consumer Protection Hotline enabled law enforcement to intervene and prevent an additional $300,000 from being transferred before the final transaction could occur.

An Eastern Oregon woman lost $600,000 in life savings to a "gold bar scam" in which scammers impersonated federal agents, claimed her accounts were at risk, and convinced her to purchase gold bars for "safekeeping"; local law enforcement prevented an additional $300,000 loss after her sister reported the scheme to the Oregon Department of Justice Consumer Hotline. The scam typically involves fraudsters creating false urgency about compromised finances, instructing victims to convert assets into gold, and dispatching couriers to collect the valuables before disappearing. The Oregon DOJ warns that no legitimate government agency requests gold purchases or home visits for money collection, and urges victims to hang up

A "smishing" scam impersonating Oregon's DMV has targeted residents with text messages claiming outstanding traffic tickets and threatening license suspension unless immediate payment is made. For those who clicked malicious links, authorities recommend immediately checking financial accounts for fraudulent charges, scanning devices for malware, freezing credit with reporting agencies, and reporting the scam to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov or to local law enforcement. The Oregon DMV clarifies it never requests personal information or payment through unsolicited communications.

Scammers impersonating U.S. federal agencies (SSA, FDIC, IRS) are sending fraudulent letters, emails, texts, and pop-ups to Washington residents claiming identity theft or legal issues and demanding cash or gold payments. In early 2025 alone, scammers stole over $1 million from three Clallam County residents, with victims also identified in Jefferson County and Oregon. Red flags include unsolicited government contact via pop-ups or text, requests for cash withdrawals or gold purchases, demands to sign NDAs, and instructions to use unofficial couriers—none of which legitimate federal agencies would do.

**Summary:** The Oregon Division of Financial Regulation issued a World Elder Abuse Awareness Day alert highlighting that approximately 1 in 10 Americans age 60 and older experience elder abuse, with financial exploitation losses estimated between $2.6 billion and $36 billion annually. The agency warns that older adults—particularly those who are socially isolated—are disproportionately targeted by scammers using familiarity, fear, and urgency tactics, and advises families to watch for warning signs including suspicious financial changes, new overly-protective relationships, and unexplained asset disappearances. Oregon's mandatory reporting requirements and support resources, including a toll-free hotline and consumer advocate assistance,

The Oregon DMV warned residents of a phishing scam involving unsolicited text and email messages falsely claiming outstanding traffic violations and threatening vehicle registration suspension or credit damage unless payment is made via a provided link. The DMV emphasized it never requests personal information or payment through unsolicited communications and advises recipients to delete suspicious messages, avoid clicking links, and report scams to the Federal Trade Commission.

Multiple states including Kansas, New Mexico, Missouri, and Oregon have warned residents about widespread text and email scams falsely claiming unpaid toll debts and threatening license suspension or legal action to pressure victims into revealing personal and financial information. Scammers are targeting states with no toll roads, and in Indiana's case, fraudulent emails posing as the state DOT requesting payment for TxTag balances were traced to a contractor's hacked account. Authorities recommend reporting suspected scam texts and emails to the Federal Trade Commission and Internet Crime Complaint Center.

Scammers are sending phishing text messages impersonating Oregon's DMV and ODOT, claiming recipients have unpaid toll balances and threatening license suspension or fines to pressure immediate payment. The fake messages contain links to fraudulent websites designed to steal personal and financial information; consumers should delete such texts, never click links, and verify toll status directly with ODOT at 1-888-Ask-ODOT or report the scam to the Oregon Department of Justice Consumer Hotline at 1-877-877-9392.

David and Susette McDonald, elderly Hubbard property owners, sued excavator Greg Wing and his company All-Ways Excavating for negligence, fraud, and elder abuse, alleging he misrepresented permits, dumped contaminated countertop waste without permission, and caused David McDonald stress-induced strokes. The McDonalds are seeking $15 million; Wing has denied the allegations and countersued, claiming the McDonalds' grandson authorized his activities. Both waste pits halted operations in 2024 after Oregon Department of Environmental Quality threatened fines and ordered cleanup.

A Portland, Oregon single mother lost $40,000 to a romance scam after meeting a man on Tinder who posed as a civil engineer working in Turkey and used a fake hospital photo to guilt her into sending money over several months. The FTC reported that romance scams affected 70,000 people in 2022 with total losses of $1.3 billion, with a median loss of $4,400, and recommends victims never send money to online matches they haven't met, report scams to the FTC, and seek help from financial advisers to rebuild their finances.