2 Charged in Pennsylvania ‘Fortune Telling Scheme’
They apparently didn't see the arrest coming. (Getty Images)
Two people in Pennsylvania have been arrested and charged in connection with a large-scale “fortune telling” scam that authorities say defrauded victims of more than $600,000.
According to Montgomery County officials, Gina Marie Marks, 52, and Steve Nicklas, 40, were taken into custody Tuesday on multiple charges, including theft by deception, theft by unlawful taking, and receiving stolen property. They are also facing a charge under Pennsylvania’s antifraud fortune-telling law, which dates back to 1861 and prohibits pretending to tell fortunes for profit through cards, astrology, or other methods.
Prosecutors say the scheme began in 2022 when a woman contacted Jenkintown Psychic Visions for a phone reading. During that call, Marks and Nicklas allegedly told the woman that she was afflicted by a “powerful curse” that would destroy her marriage, business, and family unless it was lifted through expensive “cleansing rituals.”
Over the following year, the woman reportedly handed over nearly $600,000 in cash, luxury goods, and gift cards, with promises that her items would be returned once the rituals were complete. That never happened, authorities said.
Investigators also accuse Marks of stealing $18,000 from a second victim in a separate scam. After beginning psychic sessions in 2023, the woman said Marks requested personal photos and information, later escalating to demands for “increasingly personal” images. When the victim hesitated, Marks allegedly threatened to expose her publicly unless she provided more money and items, including a Chanel purse.
Authorities traced the payments through Cash App, Zelle, and a credit union, linking the funds directly to Marks and Nicklas. Both suspects have since posted bail and are scheduled to appear in court on October 20.
“These defendants preyed on people who were seeking help, guidance, and hope—taking advantage of their trust for financial gain,” District Attorney Kevin Steele said in a statement. “They will now be held accountable for their actions.”
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