This browser does not support the Video element.
2 charged with stealing more than $600,00 in fortunetelling scheme
Police say Gina Marks and Steve Nicklas of Jenkintown Psychic Visions told customers that they were cursed, and demanded huge sums of money and luxury items in order to cleanse them.
JENKINTOWN, Pa. - Police in Montgomery County arrested two people this week charged with scamming their customers out of more than $600,000 using their fortunetelling business.
What we know:
Police arrested Gina Marie Marks and Steve Nicklas on Tuesday. According to police, the two operated Jenkintown Psychic Visions. They've been charged with multiple felonies, including theft and organized crime, and misdemeanor fortunetelling.
Investigators said they first learned about the business in late 2024. That's when they said woman reached out to the "psychics" for a reading over the phone. Marks and Niklas, officials said, convinced the woman that she had a "powerful" curse on her, "preventing her from finding love and happiness."
Gina Marks and Steve Nicklas (Credit: Montgomery County District Attorney's Office)
SUGGESTED: Woman killed outside Dallas PetSmart after argument over not saying 'thank you'
Marks and Nicklas allegedly told this woman that the curse would destroy her marriage and family if she didn't get it lifted. Detectives said they charged the woman thousands of dollars, and demanded luxury items like jewelry, clothing and even concert tickets to "cleanse" her.
This went on for nearly a year, from September 2022 to August 2023, and investigators said Marks and Nicklas stole more than $595,000 from the woman.
While that was happening, police said another woman reached out to Jenkintown Psychic Visions for help. Over months, police said Marks asked the woman for photos and personal details about her life, even demanding she give her a Chanel purse, and threatening her if she didn't comply.
Officials said Marks stole at least $18,000 from the second woman.
Both suspects are out on bail.
What they're saying:
In a press release issued on Wednesday, Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele accused Marks and Nicklas of "[preying] on people who were looking for help, guidance and hope, and exploiting them for financial gain."
"They are now going to be held accountable for their actions," Steele said.
Through his attorney, Nicklas denied the charges.
We were unable to find a listed attorney for Marks.
The Source: Information in this story is from a press release from Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele's office.