Gina Marie Marks, 41, of Huntingdon Valley and Steve Nicklas, 53, of Jenkintown attended a preliminary hearing today regarding accusations that they defrauded two victims out of $600,000 using a fortune telling scheme in which they claimed to remove curses in exchange for payment, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported.
Marks and Nicklas were arrested in October 2025 and charged with numerous felonies related to the theft. Both worked out of “Jenkintown Psychic Visions” located at 475 Old York Road.
According to The Inquirer’s coverage, one of the victims testified that she worked with the self-proclaimed psychics because they told her that her ex-wife was being targeted by “black magic” and that her life was in danger.
“A judge dismissed four charges against Nicklas, including racketeering and dealing in unlawful proceeds, but held him for trial on theft and related crimes,” The Inquirer said. “Marks waived her preliminary hearing and will face a county judge on all of the charges.”
According to a 2018 article by NBC Washington, Marks identified herself as Natalie Miller in her meetings with clients and stole from five people in Florida and Maryland. She pleaded guilty to felony theft and was also ordered to pay restitution to the victims totaling about $300,000.
“People are racist from gypsies,” Marks said in 2018. “They’re racist on my culture. We do have power. We’re not allowed to talk about it.”
Montgomery County law enforcement officials became aware of the thefts on December 24, 2024.
“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,” DA Steele said in October 2025. “Over the course of 11 months—from Sept. 23, 2022, to Aug. 31, 2023—Marks and Nicklas demanded large sums of money and luxury items to ‘cleanse’ the curse, including jewelry, cash, clothing, concert tickets and gift cards.”
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. In total, Marks and Nicklas stole $595,959 from the first victim.
The investigation also located a second victim, who first contacted “Jenkintown Psychic Visions” on June 10, 2023. An investigation found that Marks instructed the victim to provide her with photos and personal details about the victim’s life during their sessions together, from June 2023 through February 2024. 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 demanded more money and a Chanel purse, threatening the victim with reputational damage and personal repercussions if her instructions were not followed. In total, Marks stole at least $18,000 from the second victim.
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.
“These defendants, through their con scheme, preyed on people who were looking for help, guidance and hope, exploiting them for financial gain,” said DA Steele. “They are now going to be held accountable for their actions.”
For all the latest news, follow us on Facebook or sign up for Glenside Local’s “Daily Buzz” newsletter here.
Photos: Montco DA