Naples Man Indicted For $1.2 Million Fraud And Money Laundering Scheme Targeting Elderly Hurricane Ian Victim

Fort Myers, Florida – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces the return of an indictment charging Luis Emilio Hernandez (45, Naples) with two counts of wire fraud and six counts of money laundering in connection with a scheme to defraud an elderly victim following Hurricane Ian. If convicted, Hernandez faces up to 20 years in federal prison for each wire fraud count and up to 10 years’ imprisonment for each money laundering count. The indictment also seeks the forfeiture of more than $1.2 million and other assets traceable to the proceeds of the offenses.

According to court records, following Hurricane Ian in 2022, Hernandez falsely represented himself as a licensed contractor who would repair the victim’s home after it was damaged by the storm. Relying on these misrepresentations, the 85-year-old victim wrote multiple checks to Hernandez for construction supplies, equipment, inspections, and other repair services. Hernandez continued to induce payments from the victim even after the house was sold and demolished in 2023. In reality, Hernandez performed no work on the home and, instead, diverted over $1.2 million for his own personal use.

The money laundering counts allege that Hernandez used the stolen funds to purchase and resell vehicles at car dealerships throughout the area in an effort to conceal the source of the money.

An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.

This case is being investigated by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office and the United States Secret Service. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Patrick L. Darcey.