Bay Area hip-hop icon E-40 has a message for residents considering financial dealings with anyone claiming to play for the San Francisco 49ers: verify their credentials with him first.
The legendary rapper addressed the recent scandal involving Daejon Love, who stands accused of defrauding 26 women out of $1.3 million by falsely presenting himself as an NFL wide receiver for the team.
"If he don't know Water, if he don't know 40 Water, and he claims 49er, if I ain't never heard of him or met him, he's not a Niner," E-40 told TMZ.com during a visit to their offices this week. "They should have asked me before they gave him the money or whatever and all the scamming s***."
According to officials, Love allegedly solicited funds from victims by promising lucrative investment returns. Instead of investing the money as promised, authorities say he simply kept the cash for himself. The accused fraudster now faces criminal charges that could result in a lengthy prison sentence.
The rapper, known for his deep connections to Bay Area sports culture and his song "Niner Gang," discussed more than just the fraud case during his interview. He weighed in on his personal Bay Area athletes Mount Rushmore and shared thoughts on the Warriors dynasty.
E-40 also revealed plans for an upcoming performance at the Stanford versus Miami football game, an opportunity that came through a personal invitation from former NFL quarterback Andrew Luck.
The Love case serves as a stark reminder of the sophistication of modern fraud schemes, particularly those exploiting the prestige and wealth associated with professional sports franchises. The substantial sum allegedly stolen underscores the importance of verifying claims before entering into financial arrangements, regardless of how credible someone may appear.