Two alleged supernatural con artists stand accused of tricking individuals into relinquishing their personal possessions, including luxury goods, while some were even coerced into complying with their demands in the name of combating what the duo claimed was “black magic,” authorities reported.
Gina Marks, 52, and Steve Nicklas, 40, both hailing from the Philadelphia area, have been charged with exploiting vulnerable individuals and stealing more than $600,000 from 2022 to 2024, according to a statement from the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office.
“These defendants have preyed upon individuals seeking help and hope, exploiting their vulnerabilities for financial gain. They will now face consequences for their actions,” District Attorney Kevin Steele stated.
The bizarre saga of their victims began in 2022 when one individual sought a psychic reading from Jenkintown Psychic Visions over the phone. The suspects wasted no time convincing the victim that she was cursed, which was allegedly hindering her ability to find love and happiness, according to the press release.
They instilled fear in the victim, suggesting that failing to remove the supposed curse would bring devastation to her marriage, career, and family, as stated in the release.
Throughout the next year, the victim continued to visit the pair for guidance, surrendering various valuables, including jewelry, cash, clothing, and concert tickets, in order to “cleanse” the curse, as per their claims.
They insisted that the valuables were necessary to perform a ritual to break the curse, but none were ever returned, as detailed in the release.
Eventually, the victim ceased her visits after a year, having lost approximately $595,959 to the duo, according to the release.
Simultaneously, another victim began to grow suspicious as Marks repeatedly requested “increasingly intimate” photographs and images under the pretense of completing “rituals that would be beneficial,” as per the release.
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Between June 2023 and February 2024, Marks escalated her threats, warning of “reputational damage and personal repercussions” if the victim did not hand over her Chanel purse and additional money, according to the release.
Prosecutors indicated that Marks managed to extract $18,000 from the second victim.
The pair was arrested on Tuesday, facing numerous charges including involvement with corrupt organizations, handling proceeds from illegal activities, theft by unlawful taking, theft by deception, receiving stolen property, and fortunetelling, as mentioned in the release.
Both individuals were arraigned on Tuesday, with both being released after posting bail. They are scheduled to appear in court on October 20 for a preliminary hearing.
This isn’t Marks’ first offense; she previously served six years in prison back in 2018 for a similar operation in which she swindled over $80,000 from a distraught woman. Marks had repeatedly claimed she needed large amounts of money to cast a love spell on the woman’s boyfriend, who was newly married.
Marks attempted to escape the country but was apprehended at Miami International Airport, as reported by NBC Washington.
At that time, she maintained that she was a legitimate psychic providing authentic services.
“People have prejudices against gypsies. They are biased against my culture. We do possess power but are not permitted to disclose it,” Marks asserted.
