A federal case out of Portland is putting online dating safety back in the spotlight, and it is worth a few minutes of your attention here on the Suncoast. Daejon Labrayae Delenar Love, 35, is accused of posing as an NFL player to defraud at least 26 women of more than $1 million. According to the indictment, he built fake dating and social media profiles, staged displays of wealth, and convinced victims to send cash or wire money. He has pleaded not guilty, and a trial date is set for December 15, 2026. An 18-year-old alleged accomplice, Taylor Chan, also faces charges.
The case got national attention in part because of one woman’s story. Rachel Anderson says she met Love on Bumble in 2024, where he introduced himself as John Prince, a Swiss real estate developer. Their first date lasted only minutes in her mind. She says she knew almost immediately there would not be a second one, and she walked away. When she later saw his name in the news, she said she almost fell out of bed.
So what can you take from this? Romance scams thrive on speed, flattery, and isolation. If someone you met online starts talking about money before you have built real trust, or asks you to wire funds, send gift cards, or share account details, that is a stop sign, no matter how convincing the story is. Locally, you can reach out to the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office or your local law enforcement agency to report suspected fraud, and the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center accepts reports nationwide. Have you ever spotted a scam before it went too far? Tell us your story in the comments.
