FORT MYERS BEACH, Fla. — It’s a $32,500 mistake two Fort Myers Beach residents said cost them more than just money from their pockets.
Giving a contractor money to fix their roof after Hurricane Ian… only to find out it was one big scam.
“This for sure ruined Christmas and much more,” said Ty Wooley.
Wooley and his roommate hired Caleb Veler after he handed them a business card and convinced them he was the man for the job.
“You’re trying to get your life back and your home fixed and here’s a person telling you they can do that for you,” said Wooley.
The home on Mantanzas Court on Estero Island sits a few hundred yards from the Gulf of Mexico.
”This all started when my roommate called me to tell me she met Caleb,” said Wooley.
According to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO), Caleb Veler has done this before.
“These scammers target people for quick jobs,” said Sheriff Carmine Marceno.
According to the victims, Veler was given a handwritten check of $32,500 for the repairs to fix their roof.
“He never showed up to fix anything,” said Wooley.
It was only on day four when Veler returned to the home to ask for more money, that the homeowner saw him.
“You see that and think oh he’s here to finally do what he said he would, but no. He wanted more money,” said Wooley.
Wooley called LCSO.
Veler was arrested that day for impersonating a contractor. Punishable by five to fifteen years behind bars.
“Apparently he stole another contractor’s license,” said Wooley.
The two roommates are coming to terms that without an attorney, they will probably lose the money handed over to Veler.
“We have no idea where the money went. He cashed the check and there’s no trail leading to it,” said Wooley.