Two people were arrested in Pennsylvania in what officials say was a “fortune telling scheme” to dupe two victims out of more than $600,000.
Gina Marie Marks, 52, and Steve Nicklas, 40, were arrested Tuesday on “numerous felonies” related to the alleged scheme, including involvement with corrupt organizations, dealing in the proceeds of unlawful activities, theft by unlawful taking, theft by deception and receiving stolen property, and fortunetelling, the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office said in a news release.
Prosecutors allege the pair told the two victims they could remove curses in exchange for money.
“These defendants, through their con scheme, preyed on people who were looking for help, guidance and hope, exploiting them for financial gain,” District Attorney Kevin Steele said. “They are now going to be held accountable for their actions.”
An investigation into the alleged thefts began in December 2024, when officials became aware of the scheme.
It found that one of the victims reached out to Jenkintown Psychic Visions in 2022 for a psychic phone reading. The suspects told the victim at her reading that she was under a “powerful curse preventing her from finding love and happiness,” the release said.
The suspects convinced the victim that if she didn’t have the curse removed, it would “destroy her marriage, business and family,” according to the release.
From Sept. 23, 2022, to Aug. 31, 2023, officials say, Marks and Nicklas duped the woman out of money and luxury items — including jewelry, cash, clothing, concert tickets and gift cards — in order to “cleanse” the curse.
They allegedly told her that it was necessary to hand over personal items “to complete the ritual” and that her things would be returned to her later — but they never returned her belongings, according to officials.
In the end, the two suspects stole $595,959 from the first victim, according to the release.
The second victim reached out to the company on June 10, 2023. At their sessions, which lasted until February 2024, Marks told the victim she needed to provide photos and personal details about her life, officials said.
As the sessions continued, officials said, “Marks began to request additional images that were increasingly personal, as well as made further unorthodox requests to satisfy rituals that would help her.”
Marks then began demanding material items from the victim, including a Chanel purse and more money, according to the release. Marks allegedly told the victim that if she did not give the items, there would be “reputational damage and personal repercussions.” Marks ended up taking $18,000 from the second victim, prosecutors say.
Officials obtained financial records from Cash App, Zelle and a credit union that confirmed the victims’ funds were transferred to accounts belonging to Marks and Nicklas, prosecutors say.
Marks and Nicklas were arraigned on Tuesday, the release said. Both posted bail and were released.
Both defendants will appear in court on Oct. 20 for a preliminary hearing.
An attorney for Nicklas did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the case.
Marks has not obtained legal representation, according to her court docket. The public defender’s office in Montgomery County said Marks was not one of its clients as of Friday.
