A boat builder from Deltona has been arrested on fraud and theft charges after he allegedly scammed multiple customers out of thousands of dollars.
Approximately nine months ago, the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office launched an investigation into a local boat builder, identified as 56-year-old Jeffrey Scott Love, after receiving reports that he had scammed five customers, according to VCSO.
The sheriff’s office stated that all five victims shared “similar stories” about Love, claiming that they each hired him to build a custom airboat.
After each of the victims paid Love thousands of dollars for the work, they “got nothing in return [from Love] but excuses and stall tactics,” according to VCSO.
In total, Love allegedly received over $200,000 from the five victims in this case.
On Tuesday, October 14, VCSO deputies placed Love under arrest and booked him into Volusia County Jail, where he remains in custody without bond.
At the time of his arrest, Love was already on felony probation in connection with a “previous arrest for a nearly identical scam,” according to VCSO.
Love is being charged with organized scheme to defraud (over $50,000), grand theft (over $100,000), violation of probation (two counts), and driving with a suspended license.
VCSO stated that the investigation remains ongoing.