Fake football star: man accused of taking $1.3m from women met on dating apps

A romance and investment fraud case is before the US federal courts in Oregon. A federal grand jury has indicted a 35-year-old man from California on a charge of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, broadcasters KPTV and KPIC reported on 14 October 2026, citing the US Attorney's Office for the District of Oregon. He pleaded not guilty in federal court in Portland and remains in custody until his trial, set for 15 December 2026. According to Gray News, he had been arrested on 24 August at Boise Airport in Idaho, together with an 18-year-old alleged accomplice.

According to the charges, the man contacted women through dating apps and social media, posing as a San Francisco 49ers player, a former NFL player or a wealthy real estate investor. He allegedly held out the prospect of a future together and then pushed the women into supposedly high-yield investments, such as an “expedited account”, with the accomplice playing the financial adviser. Fake bank and investment balances were allegedly created with phone apps. The money was spent on travel, luxury cars, clothing and jewellery; some women were urged to take out loans. Financial records point to 26 women in Oregon, Washington, California and Idaho and around $1.3 million. None of the known victims got money back. A woman who met the man on Bumble in 2024 told KPTV about their first date: “Within five minutes I knew I wasn't going to see him again.”

The defendant is presumed innocent. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in federal prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Investigators believe there may be more victims and are asking for information via the FBI tip line. The case follows a familiar pattern: scammers combine a fake romance with supposedly lucrative investments – and cut off contact once the money stops or questions are asked.