Supernatural Fraudulent Scheme Assumes ‘Black Magic’ Motive

Two individuals suspected of pretending to manipulate supernatural forces are accused of swindling victims out of over $600,000 through a series of deceitful practices from 2022 to 2024. The suspects, Gina Marks, 52, and Steve Nicklas, 40, from the Philadelphia area, allegedly exploited the fears and vulnerabilities of those seeking help with personal issues, claiming to fight “black magic.”

Marks and Nicklas reportedly convinced clients that they could remove curses damaging their lives and relationships. The victims paid large sums in cash, jewelry, clothing, and concert tickets for supposed spiritual cleansing that never materialized. One victim was told her marriage and family would be destroyed if she didn’t allow the suspects to perform a healing ritual, leading her to hand over nearly $600,000 over a year. The valuables were never returned, and threats of “reputational damage” were used to pressure another victim into further payments, including her designer purse.

The suspects also allegedly asked a second client for increasingly personal photographs, claiming they were needed for rituals, before escalating their threats to financial extortion. During the period between June 2023 and February 2024, Marks allegedly drained around $18,000 from this victim.

Charges against the duo include involvement with criminal organizations, dealing with proceeds from illegal activities, theft, deception, receiving stolen property, and fortune-telling. After their arrest, both were released on bail and are scheduled for a preliminary court hearing.

Gina Marks, notably, has a history of similar schemes. In 2018, she was sentenced to six years in prison after defrauding a woman out of more than $80,000 by claiming she could cast love spells, insisting larger sums were necessary to influence her victim’s romantic relationship. She previously attempted to flee the country but was apprehended at Miami International Airport.

Marks claims her spiritual powers are authentic and criticizes societal biases against her culture, asserting, “We do have power. We’re not allowed to talk about it.”