Feds Allege Major Storm Recovery Scam Hit a Naples Homeowner — 7,000+ readers of our Weekly Newsletter get this early

In the months after Hurricane Ian, when half of Southwest Florida was juggling insurance adjusters, contractors, and rebuilding plans, one Naples homeowner believed she was doing the right thing: hiring someone who promised to help restore her storm-damaged home. Instead, federal investigators say she became the target of a million-dollar fraud that played out quietly over more than a year — long after the house itself had been sold.

A Storm, A Stranger, and a Very Costly Promise

According to a newly filed federal indictment, 42-year-old Naples resident Luis Emilio Hernandez approached the 85-year-old homeowner soon after Ian, offering to assess and repair the damage to her canal-access property. He presented himself as a contractor who could handle the cleanup, drywall work, windows, and materials. The first check she wrote — $7,000 for “downstairs rehab” — didn’t raise any alarms. After all, most Naples residents were desperate to get homes back to livable condition, often with little time to vet every person who knocked on their door.

But investigators say Hernandez wasn’t licensed, wasn’t credentialed, and wasn’t the contractor he claimed to be.

From Cleanup to Cash Flow — The Checks Kept Coming

What began as a modest storm repair quickly swelled into something much larger. Over the next fourteen months, the homeowner wrote Hernandez 34 additional checks, each labeled for things like windows, flooring, permits, engineering inspections, or materials. By the time the payments stopped, prosecutors say Hernandez had collected more than $1.26 million, an amount wildly disproportionate to the modest work originally promised.

The indictment notes that Hernandez allegedly offered no real invoices, no documented subcontractors, and no permit progress — just repeated requests for more checks.

A House Sold, But the Scam Didn’t Stop

In February 2023, the storm-damaged home sold for roughly $2.5 million. At that point, most homeowners would assume repair payments were finished. But prosecutors say Hernandez kept visiting the woman — now living in an assisted-living facility in Fort Myers — and continued asking for money. She allegedly wrote checks for “engineer inspection,” “downstairs materials,” and similar items into mid-2023 and early 2024, months after the property was no longer even hers.

The longevity of the alleged scheme is what stunned investigators. The DOJ suggests Hernandez continued collecting money simply because the homeowner trusted him — even without seeing any tangible repairs.

A Quiet Trail of Red Flags

After reviewing the case, investigators uncovered a list of glaring issues. Hernandez reportedly provided no contractor license. No business card. No proof of insurance. And wage records showed his 2022 income totaled just $9,388.75 — a sharp contrast to the $1.2 million he allegedly collected from the victim.

For many in Naples, this highlights a broader post-Ian challenge: homeowners were overwhelmed, displaced, and often navigating repairs alone. That level of vulnerability created perfect conditions for opportunists.

What Prosecutors Are Now Asserting

Hernandez faces two counts of wire fraud and six counts of money laundering. Each wire-fraud charge carries up to 20 years in federal prison; money-laundering charges can add another 10 years each. The government is also seeking forfeiture of the full $1.26 million and any assets tied to the alleged scheme.

The investigation involved the Department of Justice, the U.S. Secret Service, and local enforcement partners.

Why Naples Is Especially Vulnerable Right Now

Southwest Florida just endured one of the most chaotic rebuild cycles in its history. Contractors were booked out for months. Insurance disputes dragged on. Many older residents were navigating the process without family nearby. Scammers thrive in exactly those conditions — urgency, confusion, and trust placed in the wrong hands.

How Homeowners Can Stay Ahead of Scammers

The lesson from this case is less about one contractor and more about the playbook. Homeowners — especially seniors — should insist on licenses, ask for written scopes of work, verify permit filings, and avoid large up-front payments tied to vague promises or generic “inspections.” If something doesn’t feel right, it isn’t.

What Happens Next in Federal Court

The case now moves through the federal system, where prosecutors will present evidence detailing the timeline, payments, and alleged misrepresentations. For Naples residents, the story serves as a reminder: post-storm recovery isn’t just about rebuilding structures — it’s about protecting the people who live in them.