True Crime Obsessed – Episode 459: Romcon: Who the F**k is Jason Porter?

Release Date: October 7, 2025
Hosts: Patrick Hinds & Gillian Pensavalle
Podcast Theme: Recapping true crime docs with humor, sass, and heart

Overview

This episode delivers a hilarious yet heartfelt deep dive into the documentary “Romcon: Who the F**k is Jason Porter?”—a two-part exposé about a predatory romance scammer operating in Canada. Patrick and Gillian recap the doc with their trademark wit and candor, unpacking how “Jace” (real name: Jason Porter) left a trail of emotional devastation, financial theft, and shattered trust among his many victims. The episode explores not only the mechanics of Jason’s cons but also broader issues of vulnerability, shame, and the need to listen to red flags.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Setting the Scene: The Charming Grifter

[02:12] The hosts introduce “Romcon,” laying out how Jason Porter (aka Jace Parotti, and various aliases) operated as a serial scammer and predator.
The doc is told primarily through the stories of two women, Heather and Tiffany. Patrick notes Heather is “going to be the hero of our story.” ([02:55])
Jason’s MO: Attractive, allegedly successful, charming—targets thriving, independent women, usually at moments when they’re doing well in life.

Memorable Quote:
“He was a thief. He committed fraud. He was a criminal. This guy is a scammer, and I am literally next on the list.” — (Documentary voiceover, [02:28])

2. The Meet Cutes and Red Flags: Heather & Tiffany’s Experiences

Heather’s Story

Jason enters Heather’s life as a handyman sent by a cabinet company. He’s handsome, charismatic, and appears to be “right out of a romance novel.” ([03:39])
He claims to be an ex-software engineer, tired of the corporate grind, now working with his hands. Heather is enchanted—especially by his "cute butt."
But: He does shoddy work, and Heather notices but excuses it due to his charm.

Tiffany’s Story

Successful sales exec, focused on her career until her 40s when she decides to enter the online dating scene.
Tiffany meets “Jace” on a dating app. He’s energetic, sexy, and sweeps her off her feet—but her story, like Heather’s, quickly takes a familiar turn.

“I feel like a boob...”
— Tiffany, [07:04], introducing herself with Canadian self-deprecation.

Hosts’ Reflections:
Patrick and Gillian empathize with both women’s excitement and self-doubt, remarking on the societal pressure to find partners and the way looks and charisma allow red flags to be overlooked.

3. Love Bombing and Escalation

Jace moves swiftly: elaborate (but fake) backstories, dramatic claims about family, success, and tragic custody battles.
[13:00] He spins tales of being an international tech executive, with a son caught in a custody war.
He uses “the kid” angle to generate empathy (“he’s got a son, he must be a good guy!”) and to deepen the con’s credibility.

Memorable Quote:
“Any insecurity? He kissed right out of me.”
— Tiffany on Jace’s early affection, [14:23]

Physical and Emotional Intensity

Both Heather and Tiffany describe highly charged, physical relationships—including passionate make-out sessions that, in hindsight, seem like part of the manipulation.
Jace rapidly introduces talk of love, “I love you” declarations, and quick escalation toward moving in together.

4. Early Signs and Foreshadowing

[15:06] Friends and confidantes (like Kristen, Heather’s “spiritual coach”) express skepticism—he left a $300,000 job for cabinet-making?
Kristen’s suspicions are heightened when Jace’s stories don’t line up, e.g., spending years in China but speaking no Mandarin ([26:43]).
Meanwhile, Heather’s parents meet Jace: mom Joanne is mesmerized by his stories; dad Ernest immediately senses something “false.” ([29:39])

Memorable Moments:
Joanne describes Jace as a “good flirt” and is taken with him—Gillian and Patrick riff hilariously on the awkwardness of a parent flirting with their child’s partner.

5. The Mask Slips: Lockdown and Control

Onset of COVID-19

March 2020: COVID hits, Jace moves in with Heather, blames lost work on the pandemic, increasingly freeloads. ([36:09])
He spends Heather’s money freely, stays out late, grows controlling and emotionally abusive.

Abuse and Gaslighting

Jace keeps Heather away from his supposed child for years—using it as an excuse to stay distant and dodge commitment.
[48:44] Most chilling, he records himself physically and emotionally abusing Heather—e.g., forcing her outside in the cold with no shoes, sitting on her and tickling her until she can’t breathe (“It’s a form of abuse!” — Gillian, [51:17]).

Heather Discovers the Truth

Heather snoops Jace’s email, finds thousands of messages to other women, uncovers a criminal record under the name “Jason Porter.”
Victims band together, realize they’ve all been conned by the same man—“Who the f**k is Jason Porter?” ([55:17])

6. The Reckoning

[59:16] Episode two picks up with Heather and Kristen frantically calling 911 as Jace races back to the house.
Jason’s reaction: supremely callous. “So who cares?” he says when confronted ([60:28]), and calmly makes coffee as police arrive.
Police fail to offer much support—Heather is the one forced to move out. The cops dismiss her requests for a restraining order, minimizing non-physical abuse.

Quote:
“He’s a violent guy with nothing to lose and he knows that she’s onto him and he knows exactly where she is. And that is terrifying.” — Patrick, [58:50]

7. Aftermath and Broader Impact

Heather Fights Back

Heather compiles copious evidence, pushes for justice not just for herself, but to prevent Jason from hurting anyone else.
Reporter Jane investigates the case and notes Jason’s long history of criminal offenses—even previous news warnings about him went unheeded.
Many of Jason’s victims refuse to speak to Jane, illustrating the deep shame and trauma such scams leave behind. ([67:17])

How the Scam Works—And Why It’s Rampant

Jason manipulates women's insecurities, works fast, and consistently uses new names.
Journalist Jane: in 2022, romance scams led to over $59 million in reported losses in Canada alone, but actual numbers are certainly far higher. ([72:33])

Peer Support and Community

Heather seeks out other victims (“if you’re watching this and you see anything that’s yours, I’ll give it back to you!” — [74:36])
Example: When Jen falls prey to Jace, her family stages an intervention, but emotional manipulation and love-bombing are difficult to undo.

Quote:
“If you get an answer you don’t like, you gotta hear it… Ask the hard questions!” — Gillian, [85:30]

Notable Quotes & Moments With Timestamps

“A cute butt really does get you a long way in the world.” — Patrick, [04:41]
“Why do we do this? … Tiffany, be nice to yourself. You’re awesome. Cut the shit.” — Gillian, [11:47]
“If you get the spidey senses, when you get those red flags, really, really pay attention.” — Patrick, [15:49]
“She is sitting outside up against the wall, trying not to touch the snow and ice with her bare feet in her fucking pajama pants.” — Gillian, [49:16], describing video evidence of abuse
“He’s filming all of this… tickling… It appears like she’s laughing, but she’s not…” — Gillian, [50:28]
“Let me look you in the eye and say, I learned the lesson the hard way, girl.” — Patrick, [53:19]
“Google everybody. If you meet somebody, Google everyone.” — Patrick, [70:08]
“I don’t know who you are, but I’m sorry this happened to you, and I believe you.” — Heather, via Desiree, [76:41]
“Tiffany says red flags sometimes turn into flaming fires of hell. Louder for the people in the back, Tiff.” — Gillian, [86:21]
“Heather watched as he was taken away in handcuffs from Italy. F*ck yes, Heather!” — Patrick, [87:17]

Timeline of Important Segments

| Timestamp | Segment | |-----------|---------| | 02:12 | Introduction of "Who the F**k is Jason Porter?" and Heather |
| 07:02 | Tiffany’s background and early relationship with Jace | | 13:00 | Jace’s elaborate backstory and manipulation tactics | | 15:06 | Friends/Family start raising suspicions | | 24:57 | Speed of the relationship, escalation, moving in | | 36:09 | COVID-19 hits, Jace moves in, freeloads, and reveals abusive side | | 49:16 | Physical and psychological abuse recorded on video | | 54:17 | Heather learns about gaslighting and finds the truth | | 55:17 | Victims discover “Jason Porter” is a serial offender | | 59:16 | Crisis: the 911 call during reveal | | 60:28 | Jace’s callous reaction: “So who cares?” | | 64:43 | Heather learns the truth of Jace’s background and criminal history | | 67:17 | Refusal of other victims to speak—trauma and shame | | 72:33 | Reporter Jane on underreported scope and $59M lost | | 74:36 | Heather offers to reunite victims with stolen goods | | 76:41 | Desiree’s story: family intervention to save Jen | | 81:31 | The trial, delay tactics, and jury tampering | | 86:37 | Sentencing: 2 years minus a day, probation, and restitution |

Main Takeaways / Lessons & Hosts’ Closing Thoughts

Red flags abound—don’t ignore them, listen to your instincts and your trusted friends.
Manipulation is targeted and clever—if it can happen to strong, smart, independent women, it can happen to anyone.
Community is everything: Sharing stories, connecting with other survivors, and shining a light reduces stigma and builds safety.
Call to Action:
- Google everyone you date
- Ask the hard questions
- Don’t blame victims—shame and trauma keep these scams hidden
- Support friends/family experiencing similar situations; speak up early

Closing Quote:
“Join the Facebook group. Tell your friends. Stay safe out there. And Google EVERYONE." — Patrick & Gillian, [88:10]

For Further Listening

The hosts tease their next episode: “Trainwreck: Balloon Boy”
500+ ad-free bonus episodes on Patreon

Summary by: True Crime Obsessed Summarizer (AI)
Tone: Snarky, warm, and supportive in the style of Patrick and Gillian
Ads, intros, and outros excluded

True Crime Obsessed – Episode 459: Romcon: Who the F**k is Jason Porter?

Release Date: October 7, 2025
Hosts: Patrick Hinds & Gillian Pensavalle
Podcast Theme: Recapping true crime docs with humor, sass, and heart

Overview

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Setting the Scene: The Charming Grifter

[02:12] The hosts introduce “Romcon,” laying out how Jason Porter (aka Jace Parotti, and various aliases) operated as a serial scammer and predator.
The doc is told primarily through the stories of two women, Heather and Tiffany. Patrick notes Heather is “going to be the hero of our story.” ([02:55])
Jason’s MO: Attractive, allegedly successful, charming—targets thriving, independent women, usually at moments when they’re doing well in life.

Memorable Quote:
“He was a thief. He committed fraud. He was a criminal. This guy is a scammer, and I am literally next on the list.” — (Documentary voiceover, [02:28])

2. The Meet Cutes and Red Flags: Heather & Tiffany’s Experiences

Heather’s Story

Jason enters Heather’s life as a handyman sent by a cabinet company. He’s handsome, charismatic, and appears to be “right out of a romance novel.” ([03:39])
He claims to be an ex-software engineer, tired of the corporate grind, now working with his hands. Heather is enchanted—especially by his "cute butt."
But: He does shoddy work, and Heather notices but excuses it due to his charm.

Tiffany’s Story

Successful sales exec, focused on her career until her 40s when she decides to enter the online dating scene.
Tiffany meets “Jace” on a dating app. He’s energetic, sexy, and sweeps her off her feet—but her story, like Heather’s, quickly takes a familiar turn.

“I feel like a boob...”
— Tiffany, [07:04], introducing herself with Canadian self-deprecation.

3. Love Bombing and Escalation

Jace moves swiftly: elaborate (but fake) backstories, dramatic claims about family, success, and tragic custody battles.
[13:00] He spins tales of being an international tech executive, with a son caught in a custody war.
He uses “the kid” angle to generate empathy (“he’s got a son, he must be a good guy!”) and to deepen the con’s credibility.

Memorable Quote:
“Any insecurity? He kissed right out of me.”
— Tiffany on Jace’s early affection, [14:23]

Physical and Emotional Intensity

Both Heather and Tiffany describe highly charged, physical relationships—including passionate make-out sessions that, in hindsight, seem like part of the manipulation.
Jace rapidly introduces talk of love, “I love you” declarations, and quick escalation toward moving in together.

4. Early Signs and Foreshadowing

[15:06] Friends and confidantes (like Kristen, Heather’s “spiritual coach”) express skepticism—he left a $300,000 job for cabinet-making?
Kristen’s suspicions are heightened when Jace’s stories don’t line up, e.g., spending years in China but speaking no Mandarin ([26:43]).
Meanwhile, Heather’s parents meet Jace: mom Joanne is mesmerized by his stories; dad Ernest immediately senses something “false.” ([29:39])

Memorable Moments:
Joanne describes Jace as a “good flirt” and is taken with him—Gillian and Patrick riff hilariously on the awkwardness of a parent flirting with their child’s partner.

5. The Mask Slips: Lockdown and Control

Onset of COVID-19

March 2020: COVID hits, Jace moves in with Heather, blames lost work on the pandemic, increasingly freeloads. ([36:09])
He spends Heather’s money freely, stays out late, grows controlling and emotionally abusive.

Abuse and Gaslighting

Jace keeps Heather away from his supposed child for years—using it as an excuse to stay distant and dodge commitment.
[48:44] Most chilling, he records himself physically and emotionally abusing Heather—e.g., forcing her outside in the cold with no shoes, sitting on her and tickling her until she can’t breathe (“It’s a form of abuse!” — Gillian, [51:17]).

Heather Discovers the Truth

Heather snoops Jace’s email, finds thousands of messages to other women, uncovers a criminal record under the name “Jason Porter.”
Victims band together, realize they’ve all been conned by the same man—“Who the f**k is Jason Porter?” ([55:17])

6. The Reckoning

[59:16] Episode two picks up with Heather and Kristen frantically calling 911 as Jace races back to the house.
Jason’s reaction: supremely callous. “So who cares?” he says when confronted ([60:28]), and calmly makes coffee as police arrive.
Police fail to offer much support—Heather is the one forced to move out. The cops dismiss her requests for a restraining order, minimizing non-physical abuse.

Quote:
“He’s a violent guy with nothing to lose and he knows that she’s onto him and he knows exactly where she is. And that is terrifying.” — Patrick, [58:50]

7. Aftermath and Broader Impact

Heather Fights Back

Heather compiles copious evidence, pushes for justice not just for herself, but to prevent Jason from hurting anyone else.
Reporter Jane investigates the case and notes Jason’s long history of criminal offenses—even previous news warnings about him went unheeded.
Many of Jason’s victims refuse to speak to Jane, illustrating the deep shame and trauma such scams leave behind. ([67:17])

How the Scam Works—And Why It’s Rampant

Jason manipulates women's insecurities, works fast, and consistently uses new names.
Journalist Jane: in 2022, romance scams led to over $59 million in reported losses in Canada alone, but actual numbers are certainly far higher. ([72:33])

Peer Support and Community

Heather seeks out other victims (“if you’re watching this and you see anything that’s yours, I’ll give it back to you!” — [74:36])
Example: When Jen falls prey to Jace, her family stages an intervention, but emotional manipulation and love-bombing are difficult to undo.

Quote:
“If you get an answer you don’t like, you gotta hear it… Ask the hard questions!” — Gillian, [85:30]

Notable Quotes & Moments With Timestamps

“A cute butt really does get you a long way in the world.” — Patrick, [04:41]
“Why do we do this? … Tiffany, be nice to yourself. You’re awesome. Cut the shit.” — Gillian, [11:47]
“If you get the spidey senses, when you get those red flags, really, really pay attention.” — Patrick, [15:49]
“She is sitting outside up against the wall, trying not to touch the snow and ice with her bare feet in her fucking pajama pants.” — Gillian, [49:16], describing video evidence of abuse
“He’s filming all of this… tickling… It appears like she’s laughing, but she’s not…” — Gillian, [50:28]
“Let me look you in the eye and say, I learned the lesson the hard way, girl.” — Patrick, [53:19]
“Google everybody. If you meet somebody, Google everyone.” — Patrick, [70:08]
“I don’t know who you are, but I’m sorry this happened to you, and I believe you.” — Heather, via Desiree, [76:41]
“Tiffany says red flags sometimes turn into flaming fires of hell. Louder for the people in the back, Tiff.” — Gillian, [86:21]
“Heather watched as he was taken away in handcuffs from Italy. F*ck yes, Heather!” — Patrick, [87:17]

Timeline of Important Segments

Main Takeaways / Lessons & Hosts’ Closing Thoughts

Red flags abound—don’t ignore them, listen to your instincts and your trusted friends.
Manipulation is targeted and clever—if it can happen to strong, smart, independent women, it can happen to anyone.
Community is everything: Sharing stories, connecting with other survivors, and shining a light reduces stigma and builds safety.
Call to Action:
- Google everyone you date
- Ask the hard questions
- Don’t blame victims—shame and trauma keep these scams hidden
- Support friends/family experiencing similar situations; speak up early

Closing Quote:
“Join the Facebook group. Tell your friends. Stay safe out there. And Google EVERYONE." — Patrick & Gillian, [88:10]

For Further Listening

The hosts tease their next episode: “Trainwreck: Balloon Boy”
500+ ad-free bonus episodes on Patreon

Summary by: True Crime Obsessed Summarizer (AI)
Tone: Snarky, warm, and supportive in the style of Patrick and Gillian
Ads, intros, and outros excluded

459: Romcon: Who the F**k is Jason Porter?

Powered by Wave AI

Summary

True Crime Obsessed – Episode 459: Romcon: Who the F**k is Jason Porter?

Overview

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Setting the Scene: The Charming Grifter

2. The Meet Cutes and Red Flags: Heather & Tiffany’s Experiences

Heather’s Story

Tiffany’s Story

3. Love Bombing and Escalation

Physical and Emotional Intensity

4. Early Signs and Foreshadowing

5. The Mask Slips: Lockdown and Control

Onset of COVID-19

Abuse and Gaslighting

Heather Discovers the Truth

6. The Reckoning

7. Aftermath and Broader Impact

Heather Fights Back

How the Scam Works—And Why It’s Rampant

Peer Support and Community

Notable Quotes & Moments With Timestamps

Timeline of Important Segments

Main Takeaways / Lessons & Hosts’ Closing Thoughts

For Further Listening

Summary

True Crime Obsessed – Episode 459: Romcon: Who the F**k is Jason Porter?

Overview

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Setting the Scene: The Charming Grifter

2. The Meet Cutes and Red Flags: Heather & Tiffany’s Experiences

Heather’s Story

Tiffany’s Story

3. Love Bombing and Escalation

Physical and Emotional Intensity

4. Early Signs and Foreshadowing

5. The Mask Slips: Lockdown and Control

Onset of COVID-19

Abuse and Gaslighting

Heather Discovers the Truth

6. The Reckoning

7. Aftermath and Broader Impact

Heather Fights Back

How the Scam Works—And Why It’s Rampant

Peer Support and Community

Notable Quotes & Moments With Timestamps

Timeline of Important Segments

Main Takeaways / Lessons & Hosts’ Closing Thoughts

For Further Listening