JENKINTOWN — With an elaborate fortune-telling scheme, two self-proclaimed psychics exploited the trust and vulnerability of two women who were looking to them to remove curses and stole more than $600,000 from the victims, according to authorities.
Gina Marie Marks, 52, of the 500 block of Carson Terrace, Huntingdon Valley, and Steve Nick Nicklas, 40, of the 400 block of York Road, Jenkintown, were arraigned on Tuesday on charges of corrupt organizations, dealing in proceeds of unlawful activities, theft by unlawful taking, theft by deception, receiving stolen property, conspiracy to commit theft and fortune telling in connection with alleged incidents that occurred between September 2022 and February 2024.
Marks and Nicklas posted bail and remain free while awaiting an Oct. 20 preliminary hearing on the charges before District Court Judge R. Emmett Madden.
Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin R. Steele and Jenkintown Police Chief Thomas M. Scott announced the arrests on Wednesday.
“These defendants, through their con scheme, preyed on people who were looking for help, guidance and hope, exploiting them for financial gain,” Steele said on Wednesday. “They are now going to be held accountable for their actions.”
County detectives became aware of the alleged thefts on Dec. 24, 2024, and launched an extensive investigation.
The investigation determined that over the course of about 11 months beginning in September 2022, Marks and Nicklas defrauded one woman out of $595,959 by using “psychological ploys” and false or fraudulent pretenses, according to a criminal complaint.
The investigation found that the woman initially contacted “Jenkintown Psychic Visions,” located at Nicklas’ Old York Road address, for a psychic phone reading for $75.
“Gina Marks used tarot card readings and various alleged ritual practices, during which she used a technique known as ‘cold reading,’ to learn all about (the victim’s) dreams and hopes and fears to financially exploit her under the guise of offering her assistance with personal and professional problems that she was experiencing in her life,” according to the arrest affidavit filed by county Detective Jonathan Kelcy.
“Worst of all, Gina Marks allegedly used (the victim’s) love for another and desperate desire to remain married, to emotionally abuse her, to mentally weaken her and to expertly steal her money,” Kelcy alleged.
At one point, Marks, who called herself “Naomi,” told the woman her case was so “involved” that she needed to bring in help from her “partner,” Nicklas, so he could assist, detectives alleged.
Detectives found that Marks and Nicklas convinced the victim that she was plagued by a powerful curse preventing her from finding love and happiness and convinced her that a curse would destroy her marriage, business and family if it wasn’t removed, according to arrest documents.
Marks and Nicklas demanded large sums of money and luxury items to “cleanse” the curse, including jewelry, cash, clothing, concert tickets and gift cards, authorities alleged.
Marks and Nicklas also told the victim that personal belongings were needed to complete the ritual and would be returned later. The items and money were never returned.
Marks and Nicklas allegedly used the same fortune-telling scheme to defraud a second woman of at least $18,000 in cash and a Chanel purse between June 2023 and February 2024, according to the arrest affidavit.
The investigation found that Marks instructed the second victim to provide her with photos and personal details about the victim’s life during their sessions together. Marks began to request additional images that were increasingly personal, as well as made further unorthodox requests to satisfy rituals that would help the victim, according to court papers.
Marks demanded more money and a Chanel purse, threatening the victim with “reputational damage and personal repercussions if her instructions were not followed,” according to the criminal complaint.
In July 2023, the victim asked Marks for her money to be returned and was threatened by Marks, detectives said.
Marks allegedly made promises to return the cash and purse, but she never followed through with the promises. In August 2023, the Chanel purse was returned, but the victim was unable to return it for the full amount.
Financial records obtained by detectives from Cash App, Zelle and a credit union confirmed that funds from the victims were transferred into accounts belonging to Marks and Nicklas.
“Gina Marks and Steve Nicklas were supposed to help victims, but instead they deceived them for their own financial gain,” Kelcy alleged in a criminal complaint.
Assistant District Attorney Christian Garfield Taffe is prosecuting the case.
Defense lawyer Lauren A Wimmer is representing Nicklas, according to court records.
Marks had not yet obtained legal representation, according to court records available on Wednesday.
Source: Berkshire mont
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