The True Story Behind RomCon: Who the F*** is Jason Porter?

Titled “RomCon: Unmasking Jason Porter“, this docu-series available on Amazon Prime Video from June 13, chronicles the heartbreaking tale of a Toronto woman who found herself entangled in a web of deception when her relationship with a repairman unraveled due to his hidden truths.

In 2018, Heather Rovet first encountered Jason “Jace” Porter when he visited her condo as a handyman to address a maintenance issue. Fast forward to 2021, she uncovered a pattern of deception in their three-year relationship: he had been lying to her, squandered money recklessly using hers, and swiped Tiffany jewelry from her family. Driven by the need for truth, Heather found renewed purpose in exposing his frauds, and the series you’re now reading is a result of that journey.

Over the course of two episodes, this docu-series traces Rovet’s heartbreaking journey of falling in love, only to discover that the man she was living with had been deceiving her. Similarly, other women portrayed in RomCon share their experiences of being courted by Porter, who, like with Rovet, initially pursued them passionately before pulling away. These women connected with Rovet after journalist Jane Gerster’s article about her ordeal was published in Toronto Life.

Rovet dreams that the show will spread widely on Prime Video, not just for those who might fall prey to Porter’s fraudulent strategies, but also as a cautionary tale about deceitful schemes. The Federal Trade Commission reported that people duped by such scams collectively lost $1.14 billion in the year 2023.

Rovet desires that the series will become popular on Prime Video, not only to protect potential victims of Porter’s misleading tactics but also to educate viewers about fraud. According to the Federal Trade Commission, individuals who fell victim to such scams lost a staggering $1.14 billion in 2023.

As a passionate cinephile, I’m eager to share my thoughts on the captivating tale of Rovet’s journey. Initially, I believed the man she pursued was my ideal Mr. Right. However, this film delves deep into her quest to uncover the truth behind his actions, revealing a far more complex and intriguing storyline than I could have ever imagined.

Warning signs

Initially, for Rovet who was 46 at that time, her encounter with Porter, going by the name “Jace Peretti”, seemed like a fulfillment of a dream. He was an excellent kisser and they enjoyed motorcycle trips together. It turned out that Porter also got along well with her mother. In just a few weeks, Porter declared his love for Rovet.

Initially, Rovet’s father, Ernest, had a strong sense of unease regarding Porter. In the show, he expresses remorse for not voicing his concerns sooner. After their relationship ended, Rovet admitted that she told him later on that he believed Porter spoke in a way that sounded like a gangster, using short and mumbled phrases. This behavior didn’t align with the sophisticated lifestyle that Porter claimed to lead.

Similarly, her friend Krystin mentioned that Porter spoke about residing in China for two years. Since she too had spent a considerable amount of time in China, she enquired about his proficiency in Mandarin. He replied that he didn’t feel the need to learn it and added that he didn’t explore much of the country either, which Krystin found hard to accept considering his claims of living there for an extended duration.

The romantic gestures persisted, only to gradually fade away. For instance, Porter would plan trips for her, such as a visit to Rome, but at the eleventh hour, he’d withdraw, citing his ongoing custody dispute with his ex-wife as the reason he couldn’t go.

Three years into dating Porter, Rovet wondered if she would ever meet this son.

The moment Heather realized Jason Porter was lying

In early 2020, when Rovet and Porter started sharing a condo in Toronto during the COVID-19 pandemic, Heather observed unusual habits from him. Specifically, she found it bothersome that he often stayed up very late at night and took extended afternoon naps. Despite her urban lifestyle, she decided to make some accommodations and relocate to Aurora, a suburb of Toronto, so his son could be more accessible.

While Rovet’s mother was realizing that her two wedding bands were missing, she inquired from her housekeeper who might have taken them. The housekeeper responded by saying Jace had taken them. However, when her mother expressed disbelief, the housekeeper decided to resign. “Even to this day,” Rovet admits, “I still feel guilty for what he took from my mom because she’ll never be able to retrieve it. It’s not about the items themselves; it’s the emotions, the memories, that he deprived her of.

He was constantly depleting their savings on fuel, cigarettes, and vaping equipment, leading to frequent arguments. Following a dispute where he failed to promise to attend a friend’s BBQ, he claimed he needed some distance. After an absence of five weeks, she grew curious about his whereabouts. Since he often used her computer, she deduced the password and discovered emails and several dating apps that he had been actively using during their relationship.

As she delved deeper into his past, she uncovered increasingly unsettling details about him. For instance, it turned out that he had been imprisoned on several occasions. Meanwhile, when he was away from home, she ventured into his workshop and discovered receipts indicating pawn shop transactions. In a room that was supposed to be for their son but was unusually filled with documents, she found a sack containing evidence suggesting the custody battle had long been resolved.

While investigating, Porter phoned her. According to Rovet, she expressed, “It seems like I hardly recognize you now.” Instantly, he blocked her access to his emails.

Who was Jason Porter?

It’s clear that Jace Peretti, who initially declined to take part in the series, wasn’t who we thought. His real identity was Jason Porter, and contrary to his surname suggesting it, he had no Italian heritage. Contrary to what he led people to believe, he was not a software engineer. However, it’s worth noting that he was indeed a father.

The movie crew aimed to capture footage of him entering a nearby courtroom, so Rovet tagged along to confront him. Upon spotting her, he quickly hid his face under his coat. In April 2025, he received a sentence of two years in prison and three years probation for theft of Rovet’s mother’s jewelry. He was mandated to reimburse the stolen jewelry to Rovet’s mother and disclose any future romantic relationships to his probation officer.

Despite the resolution of the case regarding Porter, there’s much that remains unclear about him. As Rovet expresses, “It would be fascinating to converse with a member of his family to gather more insights, but I must move on.” He further adds, “I can’t continue delving deeper into this mystery and letting it control me anymore.

What Heather Rovet wants other women to know

Six long years since the saga unfolded, I find myself behind the wheel of my car, reflecting on a journey that has led me here. I can’t help but think, if only I had seen through Porter earlier. Yet, as I speak these words, a sense of contentment washes over me. “I am truly content,” I utter, marking the end of this chapter in my life. It’s time to close this book and move forward.

She continues to emphasize that she’s becoming more content during her discussions with TIME. She has resumed dating, yet admits that there is some apprehension, primarily regarding trust in others but also about trusting herself. She expresses concern about making wise decisions concerning dating and allowing herself to be vulnerable again for a potential relationship.

She aspires that the series will ignite discussions on romance scams and fraud, ultimately resulting in enhanced security for victims. “Women who have been deceived or tricked or swindled should not feel humiliated or ashamed,” she states. “If it could happen to me, it can happen to anyone.

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2025-06-14 00:06