HPD Busts Alleged FEMA Scammer

Houston, TX -- Almost as soon the flood waters recede the blood suckers come, like clockwork. The mosquitoes can usually be kept at bay with some spray and candles, the con men are a little bit harder to get rid of.

After receiving complaints from three possible victims, HPD picked up one of these alleged scammers and are still looking for any other potential victims. Derron L. Skinner, 25, was allegedly posing as a FEMA inspector and scamming home owners who'd suffered damage from the recent floods.

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Skinner was allegedly running a bad paper scam on homeowners. He'd contact his victims and told them he was with FEMA, according to the cops.

Skinner'd meet up with them at their bank and give the victims a few checks. The paper was usually listed as less than $1,000 a piece -- small enough not to trigger a hold from the bank. He had the home owners deposit the checks in an ATM, according to HPD.

Skinner would, allegedly, meet up with his victims the next day, have them take whatever they'd deposited out of the bank and give it to him. He told the homeowners that the money was for inspection fees.

Since the paper Skinner is accused of hanging was as fake as a Harwin handbag, the homeowners were on the hook for the amount taken out of the bank. HPD doesn't think Skinner limited himself to just three victims.

Anyone who thinks they might have gotten hustled by Skinner is encouraged to call HPD's financial crimes unit at: 713-238-5000.